NOTE: This piece was first published on FLGulfNews.com.
By Rick LaRivière with Richard Luthmann
THE DEFENDANTS STRIKE BACK
In a special July 1 episode of “The Jury Room,” Richard Luthmann joined host LegallyLeslie Ferderigos, Lisa “Two Lees,” Ray “Bonecrusher,” and SupaDave “Milltown’s Best” for what may be the most serious—and strategic—show in the ongoing saga of Jeremy Hales’ federal lawsuits in Gainesville, Florida.
The panel—each a named defendant in Hales’ sprawling federal defamation suit—shed the usual satire to focus on the law, free speech, and the absurdity of Hales’ legal claims.
Ferderigos set the tone early by referencing the suicide of a fellow YouTuber, underscoring how real-world harm can follow online harassment.
Luthmann added, “We’re not here to make jokes about dead people or court cases. But if Hales and his lawyer Randy Shochet want to turn the legal system into a clown show, we’re gonna show up in force—and in uniform.”
JURY ROOM SHOWDOWN: LUTHMANN ON SATIRE, PRISON LIFE, AND FREE SPEECH
Luthmann, a former attorney turned federal prisoner turned investigative journalist, gave an unapologetic defense of parody and free speech.
Putting up a background photo from a “prison conjugal visit,” Luthmann explained, “This is my life. They want to post Paint Chips videos, I’ll take conjugal visits. That’s fine. But they can’t then claim defamation when we respond in kind. This is satire. This is protected.”
His antics were in response to those of “ShizzyWhizzNuts” and other Hales-affiliated influencers, who routinely mock and doxx critics.
“If Jeremy’s ecosystem wants to drag families into the mud, then they don’t get to cry foul when the mud comes flying back,” he said.
He also described life in federal prison.
“Movie night on Wednesdays, pasta Thursdays, and for those who like it in the ass, Friday nights are wild,” he quipped. “But seriously, I didn’t get the Goodfellas treatment. No steak, no garlic slicing. Just hard time during the COVID lockdowns.”
JURY ROOM SHOWDOWN: THE SINGLE PUBLICATION RULE & BONGINO BOMBSHELL
The most powerful segment came when Luthmann broke down Florida’s “single publication rule” and its relevance to Hales’ lawsuit.
“You can’t take speech and chop it into multiple lawsuits just because you don’t like it,” Luthmann said. “That’s the point of Bongino v. The Daily Beast. Dan Bongino sued for defamation and then tacked on Lanham Act and Deceptive Practices claims. The court threw those out. Why? Because they were all about speech.”
SupaDave backed him up: “This is clearly a defamation case dressed up in Halloween costumes. He’s trying to rebrand his speech claims as business harm to get around the First Amendment. It won’t work.”
Luthmann added: “It’s squarely on point. Eleventh Circuit precedent. Same jurisdiction. Hales is a public figure, just like Bongino. You need actual malice and clear damages. You need facts. Hales has none of it.”
JURY ROOM SHOWDOWN: ATTORNEY RANDALL SHOCHET’S ETHICS IN THE CROSSHAIRS
The panel also tore into Hales’ attorney, Randy Shochet, who claimed he wouldn’t pursue pro se litigants—but is doing just that.
There are also allegations that Shochet knowingly made false statements or failed to correct statements when the falsity was discovered.
“He’s trying to bully pro se defendants just like he’s doing to Lynette Preston and John Cook,” Lisa “Two Lees” said. “He even called me a dolphin in a filing. A dolphin!”
Ferderigos chimed in, “Randy’s repeated missteps are unethical. Florida’s Oath of Attorney demands respect, honesty, and integrity in litigation. Filing nonsense against non-lawyers isn’t just sleazy—it’s sanctionable.”
Luthmann called Shochet’s conduct “outrageous,” adding, “This is someone who doesn’t understand the rules of civil procedure, federal jurisdiction, or the First Amendment. He’s embarrassing the Florida Bar.”
JURY ROOM SHOWDOWN: ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ: HAIL TO THE TAIL?
In classic Luthmann fashion, he didn’t hold back.
“Maybe it’s time I take a trip to Alligator Alcatraz,” he cracked, referencing the new ICE detention center deep in the Everglades. “I hear the gators down there have been promoted to federal agents—ICE badges and all.”
Then came the kicker.
“I’m gonna interview every one of those alligators. If Jeremy Hales got a little too handsy with any of them, they’ll talk. Gator testimony might be hearsay—but if one snaps twice, we’ll know he got carried away.”
CONCLUSION: SPEECH ON TRIAL
The episode struck a sobering note about social media bullying and cancel culture.
Ferderigos highlighted the larger stakes: “This isn’t just about one YouTuber’s bruised ego. This is about whether Americans can speak freely, use parody, and criticize public figures without fearing a federal lawsuit.”
Lisa “Two Lees” agreed. “He’s trying to shut us down. But we’re not going anywhere.”
Richard Luthmann was ready to fight: “They want a legal war? Let’s do it. But don’t be surprised when the jury sees through it—and laughs them out of court.”
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