West Palm Beach, FL – After having multiple counts repeatedly dismissed in a lawsuit filed against Jews for Jesus, state circuit Judge Edward Fine sanctioned attorney Barry Silver and ordered him to pay $52,827.90 in attorney’s fees and costs. Silver continues to litigate the case and has now filed an appeal to the state appellate court. Liberty Counsel represents Jews for Jesus in the case of Rapp v. Jews for Jesus. This week Liberty Counsel filed its brief, arguing that the appellate court should uphold the monetary sanctions against Silver. One year after the publication of a Jews for Jesus newsletter in which Edith Rapp’s stepson, Bruce Rapp, stated that Mrs. Rapp “prayed the sinners prayer,” Edith filed a lawsuit with the help of Silver against Jews for Jesus, claiming that the organization had defamed her by stating she was a “Jewish believer.” Liberty Counsel filed several motions to dismiss, which were granted by the court, but Silver refiled the complaints. Based on this behavior, the court sanctioned Silver. Judge Fine also stated it is up to the Florida Bar to pursue any additional sanctions. Silver has now appealed this decision. If he loses the appeal, he will likely be ordered to pay additional attorney’s fees and costs.
Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, commented: “Lawyers may not use the cover of a lawsuit to defame their opponents. This case has essentially turned into a polemic against Christianity in general and Jews for Jesus in particular. Such use of the judicial system is inappropriate.”
The case arises from Edith Rapp's dispute with her stepson, Bruce Rapp. While Bruce was working for Jews for Jesus, he published an account in the Jews for Jesus newsletter that claimed that his stepmother, a Jew, "began to cry" when Bruce related the christian tale that an almighty creator sent his son (Y'shua) to earth to be killed in order to atone for the sins of mankind. Bruce also wrote "I asked [Edith] if she would like to ask G-d for forgiveness for her sins and receive Y’Shua she said yes! My stepmother repeated the sinner’s prayer with me-praise G-d! Pray for Edie’s faith to grow and be strengthened. And please pray for my father Marty’s salvation."
Edith was not amused.
She filed suit because the account stated that she had "joined Jews for Jesus, and/or [become] a believer in the tenets, the actions, and the philosophy of Jews for Jesus." (Op. at 3). Edith Rapp's complaint alleged: (1) false light invasion of privacy; (2) defamation; and (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress. The trial court dismissed the claim and the Fourth District Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal of Edith Rapp's defamation, false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims. Rapp v. Jews for Jesus, Inc., 944 So.2d 460 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App. 2006).
www.citmedialaw.org/blog/...-rehnquist-brennans-robes