Jo Ellis, a pilot with the Virginia Army National Guard, has filed a lawsuit against Matt Wallace, a right-wing influencer, for defamation. The suit stems from Wallace's social media posts that falsely identified Ellis as the helicopter pilot involved in a January plane crash near Washington D.C. The crash, which occurred in January, did not involve Ellis in any way.
According to the lawsuit, Wallace's posts spread rapidly online, causing significant emotional distress and reputational damage to Ellis. The suit alleges that Wallace acted with malice and reckless disregard for the truth when he published the false information. Ellis is seeking damages to compensate for the harm caused by Wallace's actions.
Ellis's lawyers argue that Wallace's false claims have put her career and personal safety at risk. They emphasize the importance of holding individuals accountable for spreading misinformation, especially when it leads to real-world consequences. The case is expected to draw significant attention, highlighting the impact of online misinformation and the legal recourse available to those who are falsely accused.
Pilot Sues Influencer Over False Crash Claims
A Virginia National Guard pilot is suing a right-wing influencer for defamation. Jo Ellis alleges that Matt Wallace falsely identified her as the pilot involved in a helicopter crash near Washington D.C. in January. Ellis claims Wallace's posts caused her significant emotional distress and reputational damage. The lawsuit seeks damages for the harm caused by the false allegations.