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Coach sues teacher for defamation made on JJhuddle.com

  • OneBuckeye
    http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4775285
    By CHRIS LEONARD

    Staff Writer

    WOOSTER -- An Orrville High School teacher, who also is the former head boys basketball coach, is suing another teacher and the school district for defamation, violation of the Ohio Civil Rights Act and related charges.

    According to a civil complaint filed Feb. 5 in Wayne County Common Pleas Court, Donald A. Short Sr., of Orrville, is suing Ned Hostetler of Orrville and Orrville City Schools.

    In the complaint, Short alleges Hostetler posted "racially motivated" and "negative comments" on the JJ Huddle Web site (JJHuddle.com), during school hours, about Short, beginning in 2007.

    The complaint also alleges Hostetler engaged in "discriminatorily abusive oral comments and treatment" of Short on school property, including on Feb. 10, 2009, in which he "told students and employees of Orrville City Schools, and other members of (Short's) community, that (Short) had impregnated a minor (under age 18), female, Orrville High School student, which statement was a knowingly false accusation of criminal and immoral activity by (Short), a married man..."

    The complaint also says the school "failed or refused to promptly and adequately prevent, correct or remedy ... (Hostetler's) known abuse of (Short) ... which has caused and perpetuated an illegal hostile work environment, based on race and/or retaliation."

    According to the complaint, Short is suing for defamation, violation of Ohio Civil Rights Act, negligence, false light invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

    He is seeking $125,000 in compensatory damages and a public retraction of the allegation he impregnated an Orrville High School student.

    The complaint claims the allegations resulted in Short's "constructive discharge" as basketball coach.

    Hostetler deferred comment to his attorney, Timothy B. Pettorini, of Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston. Pettorini said his client denies any wrongdoing.

    "We intend on vigorously defending this lawsuit," he said. "We don't believe these allegations are true."

    Orrville City Schools Superintendent Jon Ritchie declined comment on the lawsuit. Both Short and Hostetler currently are employed as teachers in the district, he said.

    Short was the Orrville High School boys basketball coach from 2002 to 2009.

    Reporter Chris Leonard can be reached at 330-287-1643 or e-mail [email protected].

  • SnotBubbles


    I'm going to start suing anyone who bashes me on here..... :D
  • j_crazy
    i thought this was the website for teachers to hook up with students. I see a sudden jump in JJ membership associated with this revelation.


    Please welcome our newest member: Chris Hansen.
  • jordo212000
    SnotBubbles wrote: I'm going to start suing anyone who bashes me on here..... :D
    Me neither. But at the same time, that is actually kind of serious business haha. You just can't post stuff like that about somebody. And I'm sure he wasnt using the guy's username. If he was posting the guy's name and spreading rumors like this which could have led to this guy's dismissal; he could be in big trouble.
  • ytownfootball
    That was always a big no no on the vaJJ.

    Just curious if there is any culpability that JJ has for providing the forum and should there be any concern going forth on this site?

    Generally, common sense prevails but I have begun to wonder.
  • GoChiefs
    ytownfootball wrote: Just curious if there is any culpability that JJ has for providing the forum and should there be any concern going forth on this site?
    I don't see what fault JJ's would have. And no..I don't see any concern over here.
  • ytownfootball
    The only concern I would see would be from the negative publicity, course that would increase traffic.

    Still, should anything of that nature be posted, I would hope that it would be removed...I mean...seriously.
  • OneBuckeye
    ^Yeah but its not like JJ promises in some type of contract that stuff like that will be removed... or they aren't obligated by some law to control their content.
  • ytownfootball
    No, I know that. I just think a little common sense should prevail, a slight modicum of decorum.:D
  • Fab4Runner
    Oh my.
  • enigmaax
    Ha ha, I love the ads on this page. Somebody send that poor teacher a link to the Wholesale DNA Kits. At less than $1.00 each, that is a steal if you plan on having to prove or disprove your paternity multiple times.

    I don't really get the one offering free ADT Home Security to rapists and killers.
  • RedRider1
    Content was removed (threads were watched like a hawk)....the teacher WAS suspended during the 08-09 school year....and he was very close to being terminated....so the article isn't exactly accurate when it infers that the school sat on their hands during all of this.

    Two sides to every story.
  • 2kool4skool
    It's Orrville, the guy should be promoted because he actually knew how to use a computer.
  • newarkcatholicfan
    Only in Orrville!!!
  • Fab1b
    This is what it all comes down to: If you are stupid enough to identify someone and post things that are not true or inflammatory about them, you leave yourself open to stuff like this. Internet does not = say whatever the hell you want without fear of penalty!!
  • Fab4Runner
    newarkcatholicfan wrote: Only in Orrville!!!
    Hardly. Every small town/school district is full of gossip and rumors and things of this nature.
  • superman
    Do we know the usernames of the huddlers involved?
  • Fab4Runner
    superman wrote: Do we know the usernames of the huddlers involved?
    I know one. No I'm not telling.
  • Trueblue23
    More great news for them.
  • OneBuckeye
    Fab4Runner wrote:
    superman wrote: Do we know the usernames of the huddlers involved?
    I know one. No I'm not telling.
    Did they make the switch to freehuddle?
  • Gblock
    careful this thread could be used as evidence lol!
  • fortfan
    I wonder if Alwaysafan linked that article on jjhuddle?
  • wkfan
    fortfan wrote: I wonder if Alwaysafan linked that article on jjhuddle?
    Nope....I just checked. At least, not in the free forums.
  • Curly J
    wkfan wrote:
    fortfan wrote: I wonder if Alwaysafan linked that article on jjhuddle?
    Nope....I just checked. At least, not in the free forums.
    Thanks for the report as I can't go back over there. I'm sure AAF is linking stories in 'Podunk Texas' which no one in this area of the country would care about. You would think even 'bad' publicity is still publicity for that site.
  • sportswizuhrd
    Damn Brett.. Always making up stories. Bahaha! - cchsfootball04 :)