You all remember Andrew Shirvell, right? He was the out of control rightwing nutjob assistant Attorney General in Michigan who spent months defaming the student body President of the Universit of Michigan before being fired in disgrace. Looks like he has now had his day in court:
A federal court jury in Detroit has awarded a $4.5 million judgment to the University of Michigan’s first openly gay student body president in his suit against a former Michigan assistant attorney general who had written disparagingly about him on the Internet, the student’s lawyer said.
The jury came back with the award late Thursday against Andrew Shirvell, said Deborah Gordon, a lawyer representing the plaintiff, Chris Armstrong, 22, who graduated last year.
A U.S. District Court jury found in Armstrong’s favor on four counts — defamation, stalking, intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy, Gordon told CNN in a telephone interview.
Shirvell was fired from his job in the attorney general’s office in 2010 after targeting the student leader online and in person — then lying about his actions to investigators, state Attorney General Mike Cox said at the time.
Shirvell “repeatedly violated office policies, engaged in borderline stalking behavior and inappropriately used state resources,” Cox said, referring to Shirvell’s activities during his work day.
Asked for specifics about Shirvell’s conduct, Armstrong lawyer Gordon said, “He said he (Armstrong) had an orgy in a dorm room and sex in a park and that he had liquored up underage freshmen to recruit them to the ‘homosexual lifestyle.'”
Shirvell also referred to Armstrong as “Satan’s representative” on the Michigan Student Assembly, she said.
“He’s a little out there,” Gordon continued.
Armstrong will never collect, because Shirvell is an unemployed and unemployable lunatic, but it is nice to know that if he ever earns a dollar, Armstrong might get part of it.
Mark S.
Somewhat of an understatement.
Belafon (formerly anonevent)
I hear Republicans would like to start debtors prisons. Looks like we their first tenant.
Todd
I’m seeing a Fox prime time slot in Shirvell’s future, following by a major career in the GOP.
Brian R.
At the very least, the career of a future insane Republican congressman has been cut short.
Villago Delenda Est
Shirvell should have to work off the judgement, as the butler of Chris Armstrong.
For the rest of his miserable life.
Mike G
Alpha Centauri is a little out there compared to this batshit-wingnut.
Ben Cisco
@Mike G: Nice.
var
Why isn’t Shirvell collecting wingnut welfare? Does he not know where to file for benefits or something?
PeakVT
@Todd: A Fox slot would be good, because then Shirvell would actually have some income that could be garnished. And Fox could let its bigot flag fly.
J
John, I know Shirvell is an evil nutjob, because I live in Ann Arbor and followed all of it closely. But think again, maybe, about the fact that you’re a blogger applauding someone getting hit with a multimillion dollar court judgment in large part because of stuff he said on his blog. People using the court system to shut down and bankrupt people because of what they say on their blogs is not actually a Good Thing.
MattF
I’m thinking ‘out there’ is a euphemism. Note that Shirvell doesn’t seem to be someone who had a breakdown, just a bigot and a moron.
StarStorm
@J:
And I imagine those of us who aren’t panicky free speech activists will note that Shirvell was an evil nutjob because he was engaging in slander and defamation on his blog and decide that they don’t give two fucks.
The Very Reverend Crimson Fire of compassion
@J: Umm, depends on what they’re saying. Free speech is not a get out of jail free card for libel and slander, and Shirvell the shrivelled was guilty of both. This pompous bastard wasn’t just stating opinions on a blog. He did everything in his power to destroy this kid’s life.
StarStorm said it quicker, and better. Damn you.
forked tongue
I would say he has certain handicaps as a TV personality in that I don’t think even the Fox audience would be able to shut off their gaydars’ earsplitting shrieks once he opened his mouth.
That said, I have to say that while I’m open to persuasion, I’m not completely comfortable with 4.5 million dollars, either. Unless there’s a case to be made that Shirvell’s actions actually cost Thompson something like half of that, where does this amount come from?
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@StarStorm: Not to mention meatspace stalking.
cmorenc
@John Cole:
Shirvell clearly deserved to be terminated on a number of grounds, including “inappropriate use of state resources”. Nevertheless, any even moderately-savvy person who’s ever worked for any state government is (or should be) well-aware of what a dangerous, easy trap “inappropriate use of state resources” can be for any state employee who finds themselves for whatever reason on the “enemies” radar of someone influential in whatever agency they work for. For example, any appreciable accumulation of personal phone calls from a state line (especially if they incur minor charges), or of seemingly minor personal detours while using a state vehicle are classic grounds administrators use to justify termination of an employee they regard as undesirable for any reason, even though the amounts involved would seem relatively de minimus to most people.
Just saying, although clearly the “inappropriate use of state resources” grounds would be objectively justified here, realize that it’s a double-edged sword that bad, manipulative people in state government often use to get rid of the good sort of people we should hope are in government.
Tehanu
@StarStorm:
Amen to that. Expressing your opinion as to what you think someone’s behavior might be is one thing. Making unfounded accusations is not a free speech right.
Citizen_X
If Shirvell wants to light a bonfire in protest, might I suggest he use Cheerios?
MaximusNYC
@Todd:
Until he’s caught with a wide stance in an airport restroom?
TBogg
Prior to going to trial, Shirvell was offered a deal where all he had to do was apologize to Armstrong and the suit would be dropped.
He declined to take the deal.
Worst. Lawyer. Ever.
Soonergrunt
Shirvill supposedly defended himself in the trial, being that he can’t afford a lawyer. He hasn’t held a job since being terminated from the state Attorney General’s staff.
Cassidy
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: Did you get my email?
RSA
I’m half-surprised that Shirvell was sued as a private citizen rather than a public official, in that he was taking advantage of his position to attack Armstrong. (But IANAL, and I don’t know the details.)
Mark S.
@Soonergrunt:
Well, defending yourself in court is kind of a job. I think he could put that on his resume.
var
@RSA: Sovereign immunity is probably the reason. That’s why you sue state officials instead of the state. Ex parte Younger and shit.
Hal
Yes, free speech is important. But that’s not what he was engaging in.
taylormattd
That guy is so obsessed with gays, gay sex, and orgies, it’s comical. I have zero doubt the guy was angrily masturbating at the same time he was penning his screeds about the poor kid.
taylormattd
@var: The reason is because the State would turn around and point out that stalking gay kids was not part of his duties as a State official.
Now he may have been able to make some kind of negligent supervision argument, but meh.
taylormattd
@TBogg: His lawyer can’t make him take the deal. I mean, he could quit I guess. But the final decision rested in the quivering loins of Mr. gay-orgy-thoughts.
Spatula
@taylormattd:
Ditto.
This Shrivelled guy HAS to be another right wing closet case. Only repressed gay desires explain his obsession with this student.
The closet is just a horrible, horrible thing.
Emily
@Hal:
How do you engage in promiscuity with just one other person?
Cap'n Magic
@J: As he was in the employ of the State Government at the time, he was already walking a dangerous line-and he crazily jumped over it like a shithouse rat.
Cmm
I predict that within the next 5 years Shirvell either:
1) comes out of the closet, gets sane, and does a major prime time interview and/or book deal or
2) does something incredibly stupid and ends up dead, imprisoned, or in a mental hospital, or
3) commits suicide (which is really a subset of 2)
Sad, pathetic closet case.
Brachiator
@Cmm:
Most definitely. Either a closet case or future Tea Party official. Maybe both.
gelfling545
@TBogg: Or worst client
Roger Moore
@TBogg:
You can’t blame the lawyer for that; refusing to take a deal is 100% the client’s fault.
muddy
@Emily: Extreme role play?
Sherlock Hound
This reminds me of a case in MA: The day after Gabrielle got shot, a well-known conservative blogger said that it was, not a paraphrase, ” a good start.”
His hosting was pulled, amongst his visit from the Secret Service.
I understand, in a small way, the fear of the govt. leaning on your ISP. But this guy, and Andrew, skated on the safe side of incitement and only just at that.
So I’m not inclined to cry.
Professor
@J: All the plaintiff wanted in court was for Shirvell to withdraw the statements and apologise in court but he refused and the case went ahead!
var
@Roger Moore: I think the lawyer in question is the winger. Or ex-lawyer if he’s been disbarred.
Mike Lamb
@J: This is Doug right? I mean this cannot possibly be a serious post.
var
@taylormattd: Pretty sure negligent supervision claim would be subject to sovereign immunity. I don’t think the blog was as part of his state duties anyway. Also, its Ex parte Young, not Younger. So embarrassing, my Fed Courts is soooo old.
LanceThruster
How sad such trouble has befallen such a nice decent gentleman.
At least he can take comfort in knowing that his reward will ultimately be in heaven. For thus it is written, thus it is so…
GOD HATES FAGS! (your local court jurisdiction…maybe not so much)
pragmatism
@Roger Moore: True. Back when I was a young lawyer and did some plaintiff work I had a client refuse an offer I urged him to take, accept a pre trial offer that was lower against my advice, then institute a misconduct investigation against me. I had memorialized the offers (firm had a form letter) so it went nowhere. Fracking humanity.
smithj86
@Roger Moore: Keep in mind that Mr. Shirvell was the attorney.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Cassidy: No, I’m afraid I didn’t. I’ve made another temp address if you want to try again: temp0818 at gamejag dot net
Thanks bunches.
E.
I never would have expected this, but I have actually reached a point where I feel sorry for Shirvell. He is demonstrably ill, and clearly tortured by his own demons. I think he is correct that an appeals court will reduce the judgment — 4.5 mil is really a lot — but whatever the sum, this man suffers already and I doubt he’ll find an employer any time soon. I’m glad Armstrong pressed the lawsuit and I thought Anderson Cooper’s treatment of him was fair while crushing, but I kind of think the guy should be left alone to find treatment at this point.
elftx
“The whole case is about politics. Every conservative Christian in the nation should be scared from this. This is the radical homosexual lobby trying to make an example out of me. Every conservative Christian in the nation should know that they are going to come after you if you object to their lifestyle, that they are going to crucify you in the public arena.”
freep.com/article/20120817/NEWS01/308170134/Ex-assistant-attorney-general-ordered-to-pay-4-5-million…
I am to the point where I absolutely no longer have any compassion or sympathy or empathy or give a shit about people like this.
Patricia Kayden
@Todd: And every penny he makes from Faux News or as a Rethug politician will go to pay the judgment. That would be great.
kuvasz
I shall let pass without comment that he is a graduate of Ava Maria Law School.
lacp
@E.: Perhaps a pilgrim’s journey across America, making late-night stops in men’s rest rooms along the interstates, would help this troubled young man find himself…..
On second thought, no. He can fuck off sideways. Asshole.
300baud
@E.:
I’m with you on this, E. When I first started reading about this, I had nothing but contempt for Shirvell. But then I saw an interview with him on the Daily Show, and the guy just screams “self-hating closet case”. Which doesn’t justify his behavior to Armstrong, of course. But now that Armstrong has thoroughly beaten him, I hope Shirvell gets the time and support he needs to get all of the anti-gay bullshit out of his head, break with the people in his life who put it in their in the first place, and come to some sort of peace with his own sexuality.
daize
@Roger Moore: He was his own lawyer. Apparently he questioned himself on the witness stand. Must have been interesting.
Edit: should have read all comments first!