1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF OREGON 12 COUNTY OF MULTNOMAH COUNTY 13 14 ANDY NGO, an individual, 15 Case No. Plaintiff, 16 v. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 ROSE CITY ANTIFA, an unincorporated association; BENJAMIN BOLEN, an individual; JOHN HACKER, an individual; CORBYN (KATHERINE) BELYEA, an individual; JOSEPH CHRISTIAN EVANS, an individual; MADISON LEE ALLEN, an individual; DOES 1-50. Claim over $50,000; amount pleaded: $900,000 NOT SUBJECT TO MANDATORY ARBITRATION JURY TRIAL DEMANDED Defendants. 24 COMPLAINT (Assault; Battery; Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress; ORICO, ORS § 166.720, et seq.); Filing fee per ORS 21.160(1)(c) 25 26 27 28 COMPLAINT 1 CASE NO.: 1 2 Plaintiff Andy Ngo (“Plaintiff” or “Ngo”), by and through his undersigned counsel, states the following for his Complaint: 3 4 INTRODUCTION 1. Defendants have sought to suppress independent journalist Ngo’s 5 activities through a coordinated pattern of violent, harassing, and stalking behavior. 6 Defendant Rose City Antifa is an offshoot of Antifa, a group deemed a “domestic 7 terrorist group” by the U.S. government, and widely known for its organized 8 violence and riotous behavior. Ngo, with his persistent reporting, has brought to 9 light many misdeeds of this terrorist organization and is perhaps more responsible 10 than any other American journalist for increasing public awareness of the threat 11 Antifa and its followers pose to public safety. In retaliation for Ngo’s unfavorable 12 coverage, and in an effort to intimidate Ngo from further exposing Antifa’s illegal 13 acts, Defendants have targeted Ngo, including by assaulting and threatening Ngo to 14 the point of causing lasting and significant physical injuries; publicizing private 15 and personal information about the whereabouts of Ngo and his family; and even 16 attempting to break into his family’s home, among a multitude of other threats and 17 acts of violence. 18 2. Ngo brings this action seeking compensation from Defendants for the 19 severe harm Defendants have caused, and for preliminary and permanent 20 injunctive relief enjoining Defendants from further assaulting, threatening, 21 stalking, or otherwise harassing Ngo. 22 23 JURISDICTION AND VENUE 3. The Circuit Court of the State of Oregon has jurisdiction over this 24 action pursuant to ORS 14.030, and because Defendants have purposefully availed 25 themselves of the benefits and protections of the State of Oregon. On information 26 and belief Defendants reside in Oregon, and the causes of action complained of 27 herein arise under Oregon law. 28 COMPLAINT 2 CASE NO.: 1 4. Venue is proper pursuant to ORS 14.050 and 14.080 because all or a 2 substantial portion of the acts complained of herein occurred in Multnomah 3 County, Oregon. 4 5 6 7 PARTIES 5. Plaintiff Andy Ngo is an individual who, at all times relevant to this Complaint, resided in Portland, Oregon. 6. Rose City Antifa is an association based in Portland, Oregon. Many, if 8 not the majority, of its members are Portland residents. Rose City Antifa is an 9 organized group of individuals which trains and directs the actions of its members. 10 11 12 13 Luis Marquez is one of the leaders of Rose City Antifa. 7. Defendant Corbyn (Katherine) Belyea (“Belyea”) is an individual who, on information and belief, resides in Multnomah County, Oregon. 8. Defendant Benjamin Bolen (“Bolen”) is an individual and who, on 14 information and belief, resides in Multnomah County, Oregon and is a member of 15 Rose City Antifa. 16 9. Defendant Joseph Christian Evans (“Evans”) is an individual who 17 reportedly does not have a local address, but has been known to reside under the 18 Burnside Bridge in Portland, Oregon. 19 20 21 22 23 10. Defendant John Hacker (“Hacker”) is an individual who, on information and belief, resides in Oregon. 11. Defendant Madison Lee Allen (“Allen”) is an individual who, on information and belief, resides in Oregon. 12. Plaintiff does not know the legal names of Defendants Does 1-50, and 24 accordingly sues them under fictitious names. Does 1-50 are any persons who 25 directed, conspired, neglected to prevent, or engaged in the tortious conduct 26 described below. 27 28 COMPLAINT 3 CASE NO.: 1 FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS 2 13. Andy Ngo is an independent journalist, who is best known for his 3 news coverage of “Antifa,” an extremist movement and organization of far-left 4 violent individuals who are renowned for their militant opposition to the 5 government, law enforcement and people perceived as “right-wing.” In the U.S., 6 Antifa calls for insurrectionary anarchy to overthrow the American government.1 7 Antifa groups in Europe similarly resort to violence in pursuit of political change. 8 9 14. Antifa members engage in rioting, property destruction, and armed brawls with political opponents and bystanders or journalists perceived to be allies 10 of their opponents. According to Antifa, any violence against public 11 demonstrations by groups they view as fascist, racist, xenophobic, homophobic, 12 conservative, or right-wing is inherently “self-defense”—irrespective of whether 13 such groups actually subscribe to such views— because such public 14 demonstrations purportedly lead to violence against marginalized groups. 15 15. Despite Antifa’s self-indulgent proclamations of protecting minority 16 groups, Defendants, who upon information and belief are members of or are 17 closely affiliated with Antifa, have targeted Ngo, a journalist who is of Asian 18 descent and gay, for his unfavorable news coverage of them. 19 16. Defendants and their fellow Antifa members or supporters and 20 “allies” have physically accosted and viciously assaulted Ngo at protests that he 21 was covering, stolen his photographic equipment, publicized the addresses of his 22 family home and mother’s business, tried to force entry into his house, and stalked 23 24 25 26 27 https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/500764-why-its-likely-to-be-antifanot-neo-nazis-behind-the-anarchy-in-americas-streets; https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/editorials/trump-is-right-antifa-areterrorists-they-always-were. 1 28 COMPLAINT 4 CASE NO.: 1 him in his personal life, including by attacking and stealing his phone while at a 2 gym. 3 17. Rose City Antifa is the Portland chapter of Antifa. 4 18. Defendant Rose City Antifa constitutes a racketeering enterprise 5 6 within the meaning of ORS § 166.715. 19. “Popular Mobilization” (also called “PopMob”) was established 7 Alisha Berry, a member of Rose City Antifa. PopMob is purportedly not as violent 8 as Rose City Antifa, but still engages in activities to counter perceived fascist and 9 racist protests. PopMob and Rose City Antifa share leadership and members, and 10 the two groups often collaborate. 11 12 13 14 15 16 The May Day Rabbit-Punch and Bear-Macing 20. On May 1, 2019, Ngo was covering demonstrations that commemorated the pro-labor holiday “May Day” in Portland, Oregon. 21. While video-recording the events, Ngo was set upon by mask-clad Rose City Antifa members and others. 22. Among them was Defendant Bolen, a heavy-set white man sporting a 17 brimmed, black beanie, white-framed sunglasses, dark bandanna with white 18 patterning, and black gloves with hard extensions near the knuckle area. He 19 carried a distinctive skateboard. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 COMPLAINT 5 CASE NO.: 1 23. Bolen struck Ngo in the abdomen with his fist, causing Ngo 2 significant pain and severe emotional distress. Ngo reasonably feared for his safety 3 following the incident. After the attack, Bolen melted into the crowd outside the 4 Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility at 4310 S. Macadam Ave. 5 6 24. Based on his attire, Bolen is, on information and belief, a member of Rose City Antifa. 7 25. Ngo then left the area of the attack, and went to cover a demonstration 8 by a group called Patriot Prayer, against Antifa near a northeast Portland bar called 9 “Cider Riot,” which, at the time, was frequented Rose City Antifa members and 10 their supporters.2 11 26. During a verbal confrontation that ensued between members of the 12 Patriot Prayer and Rose City Antifa, several Antifa members began throwing 13 punches and spraying bear mace at their opponents, and a brawl broke out. 14 15 27. While Ngo was recording these events, Doe 1, a heavy-set, sunglass- wearing white woman sporting a black hoodie, light-colored bandanna with black 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Cider Riot has since closed, permanently, following the death of a 23-year-old Antifa member, Sean Kealiher, in a shooting involved hit-and-run on October 12, 2019 near the Cider Riot. https://www.opb.org/news/article/antifa-killed-homicidecider-riot-sean-kealiher/. 2 27 28 COMPLAINT 6 CASE NO.: 1 stripes, and a hammer and sickle tattoo on her inner right forearm, depicted in the 2 image below, sprayed Ngo in the face and eyes with bear mace.3 Doe 1 is believed 3 to be a member of Rose City Antifa. 4 28. The attack left Ngo temporarily blinded and caused Ngo to fear for his 5 safety and that he might be further threatened or attacked. The incident caused Ngo 6 severe pain, humiliation, and emotional distress. May 7 2019 Assault by Antifa Member at Andy Ngo’s Gym 7 8 9 29. On May 7, 2019, Defendant John Hacker threw an unknown liquid onto Ngo’s head while Ngo was at his local gym. 10 30. On information and belief, Hacker intended to frighten and intimidate 11 Ngo in retaliation for his journalistic coverage of Rose City Antifa and other 12 counter-protesters. 13 14 31. took the phone from Ngo, without Ngo’s consent. 15 16 When Ngo began to record Hacker with his phone, Hacker forcibly 32. Hacker refused to return the phone to Ngo, causing gym staff to intervene and return the phone to Ngo. 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 See 23:10-13 at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb4KREvKYBA&feature=youtu.be. 3 COMPLAINT 7 CASE NO.: 1 33. Hacker’s membership to the gym was later revoked by management. 2 34. Ngo reasonably fears that Hacker may commit further acts of violence 3 against Ngo should he encounter Hacker again. 4 5 6 7 June 29, 2019 Attacks 35. On June 29, 2019, more protests arose, and Rose City Antifa faced- off against conservative protesters. 36. Ngo was in the midst of these protests in his capacity as a journalist, 8 recording events on his GoPro video camera and phone for later analysis and 9 commentary 10 37. Ngo was attacked on two separate occasions on this day. 11 38. In the first event, Rose City Antifa members and others, including 12 Does 2-20, lobbed containers full of liquid, purportedly “milkshakes” they had 13 acquired from PopMob, and other unknown liquids, at Ngo. Portland Police issued 14 a warning on social media that day that the “milkshakes” may have contained 15 quick-drying concrete. 16 17 39. One such “milkshake”-tossing assailant was Defendant Katherine (Corbyn) Belyea, depicted in the following image: 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 COMPLAINT 8 CASE NO.: 1 2 3 40. Portland police officers took a crime report from Ngo regarding the assault, but refused to confront Belyea, who was still in nearby in the park. 4 41. Later, at the same protest, without warning, Ngo was suddenly 5 mobbed and bloodied by a group of Rose City Antifa members and others, 6 including Does 21-43, who threw projectiles, including milkshakes, eggs, and 7 containers; punched; and kicked him. Members also hit him in the head with 8 plywood hard-edged sign placards, and carbon-hardened tactical gloves. 9 42. One of the attackers, referred herein as Doe 21, was a red-haired, 10 white woman who arrived as a passenger in a white Subaru Outback with the 11 Oregon license plate “456 LJG.” 12 43. Defendant Joseph Christian Evans was among the group of assailants 13 who attacked Ngo. Evans was one of the first to strike Ngo, his actions inciting 14 further violence against Ngo.4 15 44. Defendant Madison Lee Allen was among the group of assailants 16 who attacked Ngo. Lee struck Ngo over the head with placard, while sporting 17 green hair and a light, red-colored bandanna, as depicted below. Defendant Evans 18 can be seen in the same photograph, just to the right of Allen. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Evans is wanted by the police for an attack on another person on the same day. See https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2019/08/portland-police-ask-for-helpfinding-assault-suspect-from-june-29-protest.html. 4 COMPLAINT 9 CASE NO.: 1 2 45. Allen showed her face at one time during the protests which was captured on camera, as depicted below: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 46. City Antifa member, Doe 44, immediately stole. 47. The mob then dispersed and blended into the surrounding crowd. 48. Ngo was able to break away and requested assistance from the medic team associated with the Portland Police. The police medics directed Ngo to the central police precinct, the same area in which he was just beaten. 49. 26 27 Ngo then walked himself to the police precinct, where he taken by ambulance to Oregon Health & Science University and, after testing, was diagnosed with a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage and hospitalized overnight. 50. As a result of the attacks, Ngo suffered severe pain, humiliation, and emotional distress, for which he continues to receive treatment. “I Know Where You Live” 24 25 During the mobbing, Ngo lost grip of his GoPro camera, which a Rose 51. On October 31, 2019, at least six masked Antifa members, including Does 45-50, inclusive, approached Ngo’s family home and stood outside the door. Each of their masks bore a printout of Ngo’s face. 28 COMPLAINT 10 CASE NO.: 1 52. They banged on Ngo’s windows, rang the doorbell, and tried to gain 2 entry into Ngo’s family home by trying the door handle to see if the door was 3 locked or not. They were not carrying trick or treat bags, and, on information and 4 belief, intended to harass, intimidate, and harm Ngo. 5 53. Ngo was present in the home at the time. He called the police and 6 recorded the trespassers on his home security system. The individuals left before 7 police arrived. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 54. Soon after this incident, Ngo realized that personal information about 21 him, his family, and his mother’s small business had been released publicly. Upon 22 information and belief, the six masked individuals were Antifa members who used 23 the publicized information to track Andy to his house and intimidate him. 24 55. As part of Rose City Antifa’s campaign of terror and harassment 25 against Ngo, Twitter accounts controlled by Antifa members released, in two 26 separate events, private information about donors to Andy Ngo’s medical expenses 27 from the mob attack and private information about his family (such as the address 28 of his mother’s small business). COMPLAINT 11 CASE NO.: 1 CLAIMS 2 FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF 3 Assault – Common Law 4 (By Plaintiff against all Defendants) 5 56. Plaintiff incorporates herein by reference each and every allegation 6 contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint as though fully set forth 7 herein. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 57. Defendants intended offensive or harmful contact with Andy Ngo and/or put him in apprehension of such offensive or harmful contact with his person. 58. Defendants placed Andy Ngo in apprehension of immediate physical contact that appeared to be and that was harmful and/or offensive. 59. The acts or omission of the Defendants were the legal and proximate cause of Andy Ngo’s damages. 60. As a result of Defendants’ actions, Ngo has suffered harm to his 16 person, causing injuries to his head and body, including bruising. Ngo has suffered 17 severe pain, discomfort, and emotional distress, as well as inconvenience and 18 interference with everyday activities. As a result of his injuries, Ngo required 19 medical care and ongoing medical treatment. 20 61. Defendants (1) committed these tortious acts in concert with each 21 other and pursuant to a common design to target Andy Ngo and forcibly dissuade 22 him from covering Antifa protests; (2) knew that each other’s conduct constituted a 23 breach of duty to not commit violence against Andy Ngo and gave substantial 24 assistance or encouragement to the other Antifa members to engage in such 25 conduct; and/or (3) gave substantial assistance to each other in accomplishing the 26 tortious result and each member’s own conduct, separately considered, constituted 27 a breach of duty to the third person. 28 COMPLAINT 12 CASE NO.: 1 62. Ngo reasonably fears for his safety, and the safety of his family, and 2 there exists a serious risk that Defendants will engage in further acts of violence 3 against Ngo in retaliation for Ngo’s continued journalistic coverage of Antifa 4 activities, absent permanent injunctive relief. 5 SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF 6 Battery – Common Law 7 (By Plaintiff against all Defendants) 8 9 10 63. Plaintiff incorporates herein by reference each and every allegation contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint as though fully set forth herein. 11 64. Defendants intended offensive or harmful contact with Andy Ngo. 12 65. Defendants caused or directly engaged in offensive or harmful contact 13 with Andy Ngo. 14 66. 15 16 Defendants’ actions or omissions proximately resulted in damages to Andy Ngo. 67. As a result of Defendants’ actions, Ngo has suffered harm to his 17 person, causing injuries to his head and body, including bruising. Ngo has suffered 18 severe pain, discomfort, and emotional distress, as well as inconvenience and 19 interference with everyday activities. As a result of his injuries, Ngo required 20 medical care and ongoing medical treatment. 21 68. Defendants (1) committed these tortious acts in concert with each 22 other and pursuant to a common design to target Andy Ngo and forcibly dissuade 23 him from covering Antifa protests, (2) knew that each other’s conduct constituted a 24 breach of duty to not commit violence against Andy Ngo and gave substantial 25 assistance or encouragement to the other Antifa members to engage in such 26 conduct, and/or (3) gave substantial assistance to each other in accomplishing the 27 tortious result and each member’s own conduct, separately considered, constituted 28 a breach of duty to the third person. COMPLAINT 13 CASE NO.: 1 69. Ngo reasonably fears for his safety, and the safety of his family, and 2 there exists a serious risk that Defendants will engage in further acts of violence 3 against Ngo in retaliation for Ngo’s continued journalistic coverage of Antifa 4 activities, absent permanent injunctive relief. 5 THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF 6 Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress – Common Law 7 (By Plaintiff against all Defendants) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 70. Plaintiff incorporates herein by reference each and every allegation contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint as though fully set forth herein. 71. Defendants intended to inflict severe mental or emotional distress on Andy Ngo. 72. Defendants’ actions caused plaintiff to suffer severe emotional damage. 73. Defendants’ actions consisted of multiple, extraordinary 16 transgressions of the bounds of social toleration, namely the use of physical 17 violence and intimidation tactics of threatened violence and stalking to both 18 retaliate against Andy Ngo for his unfavorable news coverage of Antifa and 19 suppress any such news coverage in the future. 20 21 22 23 24 74. Defendants caused Andy Ngo to suffer severe emotional distress, for which Ngo continues to receive ongoing medical treatment. 75. Defendants’ actions or omissions proximately resulted in damages to Andy Ngo. 76. Defendants (1) committed these tortious acts in concert with each 25 other and pursuant to a common design to target Andy Ngo and forcibly dissuade 26 him from covering Antifa protests, (2) knew that each other’s conduct constituted a 27 breach of duty to not commit violence against Andy Ngo and gave substantial 28 assistance or encouragement to the other Antifa members to engage in such COMPLAINT 14 CASE NO.: 1 conduct, and/or (3) gave substantial assistance to each other in accomplishing the 2 tortious result and each member’s own conduct, separately considered, constituted 3 a breach of duty to the third person. 4 77. Ngo reasonably fears for his safety, and the safety of his family, and 5 there exists a serious risk that Defendants will engage in further acts of violence 6 against Ngo in retaliation for Ngo’s continued journalistic coverage of Antifa 7 activities, absent permanent injunctive relief. 8 FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF 9 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act - ORS § 166.720, et seq. 10 (By Plaintiff Against Rose City Antifa) 11 78. Plaintiff incorporates herein by reference each and every allegation 12 contained in the preceding paragraphs of this Complaint as though fully set forth 13 herein. 14 15 16 79. Ngo was injured by Defendant Rose City Antifa’s violations of the provisions of ORS §166.720 (1) and (4). 80. Rose City Antifa knowingly received proceeds derived directly and/or 17 indirectly from a pattern of racketeering activity in connection with its 18 establishment and operation of an enterprise consisting of Defendants and others, 19 in violation of ORS 166.720(1), and conspired or endeavored to do the same, in 20 violation of ORS § 166.720(4). 21 81. Rose City Antifa has directed its members, including the many Doe 22 Defendants clad in Rose City Antifa attire (black clothing and masks), to attack 23 Ngo and others to gain notoriety, and to thereafter obtain financial support in the 24 form of donations. Rose City Antifa uses these funds to further their racketeering 25 activities, including, to purchase materials, and to secure the release of Rose City 26 Antifa members arrested by law enforcement. According to its online fundraising 27 campaign, Rose City Antifa has raised over $8,000 for these and other purposes. 28 COMPLAINT 15 CASE NO.: 1 82. Distinguishing characteristics interrelating the incidents of 2 racketeering activity include black or dark colored clothing and masks worn by 3 those associated with the racketeering enterprise, material support for their efforts 4 from other enterprise associates, and a focus upon Ngo and others devoted to 5 shedding light on their unlawful enterprise. 6 83. The pattern of racketeering activity includes violent assaults against 7 Andy Ngo on at least four separate occasions in 2019 alone. The May 1 and June 8 29, 2019 violent attacks detailed above against Andy Ngo constitute, at the very 9 least, assault in the first, second, third, and fourth degree per ORS §§ 163.160 to 10 163.205. The violent attacks collectively constitute “rioting” under O.R.S. 11 § 166.015. 12 13 14 84. Rose City Antifa’s pattern of racketeering activities were not, and are not, isolated incidents. 85. Rose City Antifa acted to suppress Ngo’s journalism through 15 intimidation and violence, and all of their conduct detailed above was in 16 furtherance of that goal. 17 18 86. Pursuant to ORS § 166.725, et seq., Plaintiff is entitled to treble damages, court costs, and reasonable attorneys’ fees. 19 20 21 JURY DEMAND 87. Plaintiff demands trial by jury on all questions of fact raised by his Complaint. 22 23 24 PRAYER FOR RELIEF 88. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Andy Ngo demands judgment against Defendants and prays for the following: 25 A. Compensatory damages exceeding $300,000, trebled to 26 $900,000 pursuant to ORS 166.725(7)(a), and in a precise amount to be determined 27 at trial; 28 B. COMPLAINT Attorneys’ fees pursuant to ORS 166.725(14), and costs; 16 CASE NO.: 1 C. Pre-judgment interest; 2 D. Temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief 3 prohibiting Defendants from harassing, threatening, harming, or attempt to do the 4 same, to Ngo, and prohibiting Defendants from further engaging in acts in 5 violation of ORS § 166.720, et seq.; 6 7 E. Date: June 4, 2020 8 All other relief as this court may deem just and proper. /s James L. Buchal JAMES L BUCHAL (OSB #921618) counsel@buchal.com 3425 S.E. Yamhill, Suite 100 Portland OR 97214 Telephone: 503-227-1011 Facsimile: 503-573-1939 9 10 11 12 13 HARMEET K. DHILLON* 14 (CA Bar No.: 207873) harmeet@dhillonlaw.com GREGORY R. MICHAEL* (CA Bar No.: 306814) gmichael@dhillonlaw.com DHILLON LAW GROUP INC. 177 Post Street, Suite 700 San Francisco, California 94108 Telephone: (415) 433-1700 Facsimile: (415) 520-6593 *Pro Hac Vice Application Forthcoming 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Attorneys for Plaintiff Andy Ngo 24 25 26 27 28 COMPLAINT 17 CASE NO.: