The Black Church That Could Bankrupt the Proud Boys

[ZiprHead]

Proud Boy figures control a web of limited liability companies hawking protein supplements, FAFO merchandise, and $200 bullhorns.

What would it take to bankrupt the Proud Boys?

One of the oldest historically Black churches in America may soon find out.

Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, the Proud Boys’ leader, has so far refused to answer a lawsuit filed on January 4 by the Metropolitan AME Church accusing him and other members of committing acts of terror by destroying Black Lives Matter signs in Washington, D.C., in December.

And that leaves the downtown-D.C. church days away from a likely default victory, legal experts say—one that could hand the church, founded in 1872, the power to blow the lid off the notorious street-fighting gang’s murky financial empire, begin hunting down its assets, and stake a claim on what it finds.

Tarrio dismissed that possibility out of hand.

"The Proud Boys is not a legal entity, so I don't know what money they'd go after,” he told VICE News. “If they try to go after mine, I'd be happy to drag my balls across their face in court.”

Such bravado may prove misplaced, legal experts said, if the church’s high-powered legal team secures the court’s blessing to start searching for assets.

A review of business records by VICE News suggests top Proud Boys leaders have links to a network of LLCs in Florida and elsewhere, crowdfunding operations, and at least one online store selling Proud Boys–branded merch. These companies have hawked protein powder, gun-themed T-shirts, and even hoodies on behalf of former President Trump’s longtime confidant Roger Stone. Others, like the suggestively-named Daiquiri Brothers LLC based in Hawaii, only hint at a purpose.

 

[untermensche]

That's like saying you can't go after the mafia because it's not a legal entity.

 

[Trausti]

What are the actual damages? They’re going to spend thousands in lawyer’s fees to collect $50?

 

[untermensche]

The question is: Why are these boys against black lives?

 

[TomC]

What are the actual damages? They’re going to spend thousands in lawyer’s fees to collect $50?

Unless someone lies under oath.
Then it's perjury.

When you're accustomed to saying things that aren't really true, it might be difficult to avoid doing so under stress.
Tom

 

[Trausti]

What are the actual damages? They’re going to spend thousands in lawyer’s fees to collect $50?

Unless someone lies under oath.
Then it's perjury.

When you're accustomed to saying things that aren't really true, it might be difficult to avoid doing so under stress.
Tom

What? The allegations are that they destroyed signs. Property. The recoverable damage is the value of the lost property.

 

[Politesse]

That's like saying you can't go after the mafia because it's not a legal entity.

And very optimistic, given that a Proud Boys International LLC is specifically named in the suit. Can't have your cake and eat it too, Boys.

 

[untermensche]

The lawyers representing BLM are trying to say BLM was the target of a terrorist organization.

The Capitol riot shows they are a terrorist organization.

They say themselves they are a terrorist organization wanting to overthrow the government with force.

 

[TomC]

What are the actual damages? They’re going to spend thousands in lawyer’s fees to collect $50?

Unless someone lies under oath.
Then it's perjury.

When you're accustomed to saying things that aren't really true, it might be difficult to avoid doing so under stress.
Tom

What? The allegations are that they destroyed signs. Property. The recoverable damage is the value of the lost property.

Unless someone lies under oath.

Then the original charges become a side issue.

When you're accustomed to having your preferred views protected, even when they aren't true, you could run into big problems testifying under oath.
Tom

 

[Trausti]

What? The allegations are that they destroyed signs. Property. The recoverable damage is the value of the lost property.

Unless someone lies under oath.

Then the original charges become a side issue.

When you're accustomed to having your preferred views protected, even when they aren't true, you could run into big problems testifying under oath.
Tom

Assume there is a money judgment. If the defendant does not pay up voluntarily, then the prevailing party may seek to enforce the judgment through garnishment, liens, etc. That costs money. How much money do you spend to enforce a $50 judgment?

 

[ZiprHead]

What? The allegations are that they destroyed signs. Property. The recoverable damage is the value of the lost property.

Unless someone lies under oath.

Then the original charges become a side issue.

When you're accustomed to having your preferred views protected, even when they aren't true, you could run into big problems testifying under oath.
Tom

Assume there is a money judgment. If the defendant does not pay up voluntarily, then the prevailing party may seek to enforce the judgment through garnishment, liens, etc. That costs money. How much money do you spend to enforce a $50 judgment?

There could be punitive monetary damages too, considering this was a deliberate act, not an accident.

 

[Trausti]

Assume there is a money judgment. If the defendant does not pay up voluntarily, then the prevailing party may seek to enforce the judgment through garnishment, liens, etc. That costs money. How much money do you spend to enforce a $50 judgment?

There could be punitive monetary damages too, considering this was a deliberate act, not an accident.

Even so, 2-3x damages for this is still chump change.

 

[Politesse]

Money is not necessarily the only motivation an organization might have for filing a lawsuit.

 

[Trausti]

Money is not necessarily the only motivation an organization might have for filing a lawsuit.

That would seem to be the case here.

 

[bleubird]

Money is not necessarily the only motivation an organization might have for filing a lawsuit.

This. Maybe they feel it is worth the legal cost to help stop these morons.

 

[ZiprHead]

Money is not necessarily the only motivation an organization might have for filing a lawsuit.

This. Maybe they feel it is worth the legal cost to help stop these morons.

I suspect the lawyers are doing this pro bono or on contingency.

 

[repoman]

The right Jewish judges will help bankrupt the Proud Boys.

 

[Bronzeage]

Any You Tube lawyer will tell you, never ignore a law suit, no matter how frivolous or unfounded. One would think any Proud Boy leader would have his local Saul Goodman on retainer.

However, if you don't show up in court on the appointed day, it doesn't matter how frivolous or unfounded.

 

[TomC]

Money is not necessarily the only motivation an organization might have for filing a lawsuit.

This. Maybe they feel it is worth the legal cost to help stop these morons.

I suspect the lawyers are doing this pro bono or on contingency.

Given everything,
I'll bet lawyers were competing to be on the church's legal team. Smart ones. Vicious ones. Connected ones. Big shot ones. Wanna be big shots.

I'd bet lawyers are paying for the privilege.
Tom

 

[TomC]

Money is not necessarily the only motivation an organization might have for filing a lawsuit.

That would seem to be the case here.

Rather like the Clinton Impeachment wasn't about a sleazy dude cheating on his wife.
Tom