Edward Detwiler et al

Columbus, Ohio (December 12, 2009) — Eric J. Wittenberg, Esq., and Adam J. Steiger, Edward B. Detwiler's co-plaintiffs in this case, cancelled a resolution meeting with Leader representatives the morning of May 8, 2009, twenty (20) days before filing their defamation lawsuit on May 28, 2009.

Figure: Portions of Attorney Eric J. Wittenberg's email to James Sobwick, Chief Operating Officer of Leader Technologies, cancelling a scheduled meeting on May 8, 2009 to discuss resolution of differences with his client Adam J. Steiger. Click here to read the complete message.

Leader had requested the meeting to discuss its differences with Steiger and Zacks (both are former Leader fiduciaries and Zacks the former corporate legal counsel) et al. Wittenberg and Steiger initially agreed to the meeting, then cancelled it the morning of the meeting; threatening to "call the police" if Leader representatives came anyway. Wittenberg, Steiger, Zacks, Dunn and Detwiler then republished the allegedly defamatory blog content in their lawsuit on May 28, 2009 of their own volition. Their lawsuit is linked below.

Lest readers wonder if the publishing of Wittenberg's email is defamatory, one need only know that "Proof of the truth thereof shall be a complete defense" (Click here for Ohio Revised Code §2739.02 regarding defenses against accusations of defamation). Free speech is a First Amendment right in America. In a lawful manner, Wittenberg is free to say what he thinks as is Leader. Wittenberg wrote this email and made the threat, Leader did not. Indeed, Wittenberg wrote on free speech in Blogging the Civil War: "Blogging provides what Teddy Roosevelt described as a bully pulpit, an opportunity to climb the soapbox and proudly state one's opinions in the free speech market known as the Internet." (Civil War Preservation Trust. Date unknown. Last accessed December 12, 2009)

Click here to read the full Wittenberg May 8, 2009 meeting cancellation message to Leader.