Litchfield District seeks to end $64 million federal lawsuit quickly

The Litchfield Elementary School District is seeking a summary conclusion to a lawsuit that alleges it defamed, quelled speech and intentionally distressed a former governing board member.

If granted, the summary judgment sought will result in no trial or oral proceeding, and the assigned judge will immediately enter judgment based on the submitted court facts.

The plaintiff, Jeremy Hoenack, claims he suffered physically from a conspiracy to undermine him and block his speech.

In a filed response, the district contends Hoenack lacks evidence of mental anguish or emotional distress, as evident in a clean bill of health from his psych records.

“These medical records state that Hoenack has had ‘no change in medical status, no new medications, no recent hospitalizations’, that his ‘attention/concentration is good’, he is 'sleeping well', ‘he is coping well with ongoing legal stressors’, and that Hoenack denies depressive symptoms, no mania, no delusions,” wrote the district.

Hoenack’s only evidence of such is a claim he was treated for a heart condition brought on by the stress of the conspirators.

Additionally, Hoenack claims he was harassed by outside groups, which included efforts to defame him and his business.

“I had to completely remove myself from my business to preserve it from malevolent doxers who were illegally publishing my home address, putting dog feces on my driveway, and photoshopping movie posters to make them seem like pornography. There is evidence that one or two teachers and at least one board member were associated with this group, seemingly led by Daniel Quist," he wrote.

The Goodyear Independent did not find websites or videos illustrating opposition to Hoenack’s previous movie work. According to IMDB, Jeremy Hoenack narrated "The Genesis Children," which featured extensive child nudity.

He is seeking reimbursement for what he claims is a conspiratorial effort. It is not clear if there is any evidence supporting the complete claim.

Chief in Hoenack’s First Amendment claims were efforts to interrupt his speech about DEI initiatives during governing board meetings on the basis they were not agenda items.

Settlements in First Amendment claims versus districts settle for much less than what Hoenack is asking for.

In 2022, a Philadelphia-area school board settled with four residents who had their speeches cut short and edited out of meeting videos.

The agreement awarded $237,590 to the Institute for Free Speech,  $62,410 to a law firm and $17 to each of the four plaintiffs for damages.

Hoenack is seeking $64 million in reimbursement. He is acting without legal counsel.