CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on a man suing a city after being arrested and acquitted of a felony for creating a parody Facebook page (all times local): 5 p.m. An attorney representing a Cleveland suburb sued by a man
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Latest on a man suing a city after being arrested and acquitted of a felony for creating a parody Facebook page (all times local):
5 p.m.
An attorney representing a Cleveland suburb sued by a man arrested for creating a Facebook page parodying the city’s police department says he’ll file motions to dismiss the lawsuit.
Anthony Novak filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the city of Parma and three officers. Authorities said he created the Facebook page in March 2016 and posted items suggesting police were performing abortions for teenagers.
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation, legal fees and an injunction against Parma police.
The city’s attorney, John Travis, says the lawsuit lacks merit and notes that Novak had filed a previous suit. The first lawsuit was filed by a separate law firm and differed from the current suit by asking a judge to declare the law under which Novak was charged unconstitutional.
11:45 a.m.
A man acquitted of a felony for creating a Facebook page that parodied a suburban Cleveland police department is suing the city, saying it violated his right to free speech.
Anthony Novak sued the city of Parma and three officers Tuesday. Authorities say he created a Facebook page in March 2016 that displayed a name similar to Parma’s police department and posted items suggesting police were performing free abortions for teenagers. The page also suggested it would be illegal to help the homeless for three months.
The 28-year-old Novak was charged with a felony count of disrupting public services and acquitted after trial in August 2016.
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation, legal fees and an injunction against Parma police.
Police didn’t immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
———
This story has been corrected to show Novak is 28, not 29.
