A Will County judge awarded more than $45,000 to a woman who was doxed when someone posted a fake screenshot of her Facebook account.
It is the first reported Illinois verdict based on the Civil Doxing Act, according to the Jury Verdict Reporter.
Ellen Moriarty sued Michael Gondek, alleging violations of the act and defamation related to his scheme to get her fired from her position as a field technician for the Will County clerk. Her position required her to ensure that election equipment was working correctly, and she originally had a route in Homer Township.
Gondek, who was the Homer Township collector, allegedly created a fake screenshot of Moriarty’s Facebook page to make it appear as though she supported the July 2024 assassination attempt against President Donald Trump. The fake screenshot was shared in a group chat with other Will County elected officials, who believed that it was real. Gondek then shared the doctored photo with the Will County clerk, according to Moriarty’s second amended complaint.
The fake screenshot was later posted by the Facebook page Will County Republican Women, which resulted in third parties contacting the Will County clerk and requesting that Moriarty be fired. It also launched an internal investigation about the post, the lawsuit states.
Before allegedly doctoring the screenshot, Gondek also sent emails to the Will County clerk requesting that Moriarty be fired and that he be given her job, the lawsuit states. Gondek allegedly referred to her as “angry,” “mentally unstable,” and “too biased to work anywhere near elections” in the emails and also stated that her employment was “a huge stain on the integrity of the election process,” among other claims.
Moriarty claimed that Gondek violated the act by including her identifying information in the false screenshot with the intention to have others harass her and the knowledge or reckless disregard that she could face harm like stalking, injury or death, among other claims.
Joseph P. Giamanco of Giamanco Law Partners represented Moriarty, who he said still works as a field technician.
“Hopefully, this case and the attention that it’s received is a warning to people to check their facts and not misuse technology,” Giamanco said. “Whether Mr. Gondek is the one who posted [the fake image] on Facebook or not, he did share it within this group, which fits the definition of doxing.”
Judge Brian Barrett issued the ruling March 19.
Gondek represented himself. He said he plans to appeal the verdict.
The case is Moriarty v. Gondek, No. 2024 LA 651.