Unmasking Lawfare: The Dark Art of Targeted Harassment
“If you have indeed experienced such anonymous harassment and distress, for which he has no responsibility, Matthew would like to express his sympathy for what sounds like an extremely challenging time.”
Dear [“Jane Doe”]:
My firm represents Matthew Steven (“Matthew”) with respect to the various statements you have made about him online, on platforms including X, YouTube, Medium, Reddit, Blogspot, and others, as well as statements you have apparently made regarding him to various law enforcement agencies. I write to respond to these statements and to offer an opportunity to attend a mediated discussion with Matthew to clear up misunderstandings. Based on my firm’s review of your online statements, you have alleged that Matthew, starting in 2021, began engaging in a campaign of targeted harassment, directed at you, which you say he conducted through a network of associates using anonymous online accounts. You allege that those accounts have made derogatory and untrue comments about you and to you, causing you significant distress, which has, among other things, exacerbated your mental conditions, forced you to flee your home, and caused you significant amounts of damages. You also have alleged that the murder of a family member was somehow connected to this online harassment. To be clear, Matthew categorically denies making any of the statements or doing any of the things you have accused him of. He has had no involvement in or knowledge of the alleged harassment and negative experiences you have described. Since you and he last exchanged a direct message in or around 2022, he has not communicated with you, or about you, directly, indirectly, or through any other person, in any medium, via any accounts, anonymous or otherwise, other than, from time to time, asking social media platforms to address false and hurtful statements in your postings regarding him (including those that share his personal information). To be clear, Matthew likewise has not directed any associates (including any friends, contacts, acquaintances, family members, colleagues, or otherwise) to have any such contact with you or about you, nor is he even aware of any persons who have engaged in such communication with you or about you, other than the above-mentioned occasional requests to social media platforms to address false and hurtful statements in your postings regarding him. If you have indeed experienced such anonymous harassment and distress, for which he has no responsibility, Matthew would like to express his sympathy for what sounds like an extremely challenging time. Given Matthew’s lack of involvement (either personally or via any associates) in any of the statements or actions you have attributed to him, your repeated and unfounded public accusations against him, some of which have listed his personal information, have caused him significant harm and will continue to do so if you do not stop making them. Without waiving his right to pursue legal action against you in connection with your false statements or otherwise, he would like to first offer an opportunity for the two of you to have a conversation, facilitated by a neutral third-party mediator, and represented by counsel. Please let me know via email at ***@millershakman.com, with copy to ***@millershakman.com, by April 30, 2025, if you would be open to a mediated discussion. [You will also find a PDF of this letter at the ShareFile link above.] If you have a lawyer, please forward this letter to that lawyer and ask them to contact us by that date. Sincerely, /s/ [Matthew’s Lawyer]
