As one of the reporters who help cover the region’s court systems, one of the things I keep tabs on each week are all the opinions that emerge from the various appeals courts. This case, which allegedly involves months of deception using multiple fake characters by someone who apparently was not primarily motivated by sex or money, definitely stood out.
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In addition to speaking (or attempting to speak) with all those involved in the case, I also was able to do a review hundreds of emails, blog postings, photos and IMs that are part of this case, which showed the level of detail and the large amount of fake material that was allegedly being produced.
As for the practical fallout from this case, attorneys on both sides say that the appeals court ruling has expanded into the personal sphere a cause of action – fraudulent misrepresentation – that previously has only been available to businesses, which may be of interest to all those filing lawsuits over other online hoaxes involving relatively small damages.
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