‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer says he can’t afford to defend in lawsuit

The two organizers of the “Freedom Convoy” don’t have enough money to defend a potential class action lawsuit against them and the court has decided to freeze contributions to the convoy so they can pay their legal fees. I would like to release

Benjamin Dichter and Chris Garrah said the Ontario Superior Court has secured more than $5 million provided by Convoy backers, which is currently held in escrow, pending resolution of a lawsuit initiated on behalf of Ottawa residents and businesses. wants to release $200,000 of its funds.

“The $200,000 amount sought as the initial reservation is reasonable in the context of the $300 million class action lawsuit,” Dichter and Garrah argued in the court motions.

The documents say they need $200,000 in bail for their new law firm, Jim Kalaharios Professional Corporation, to defend a potentially complex and lengthy lawsuit. points out that we may need more money in the future.

The lawsuit, launched in February by Ottawa civil servant Zexi Li on behalf of residents of downtown Ottawa, alleges damages caused by the persistent noise of truck horns and diesel fumes. .

Attorney Paul Champ later expanded the class of possible plaintiffs to include Ottawa businesses affected by the three-week occupation of the city of Ottawa and employees who lost their wages.

While the lawsuit names a list of convoy organizers as defendants, Champ wants to add two “classes of defendants,” meaning that any truck driver who participated in the protest or made a donation will be liable for damages. You may be held liable.

During the course of the lawsuit, Champ successfully obtained a court order freezing funds donated to Convoy through sites such as GoFundMe and GiveSendGo, email forwarding and cryptocurrency payments.

Neither Dichter nor Garrah have limited income and minimal assets, so they cannot afford to personally pay legal representation in the action, their motion record states.

According to records, Dichter is a truck driver, podcast producer, lives in a rented apartment, has no real estate and no savings.

“Apart from the trucks he uses to generate income, which are worth about $40,000 to $50,000 in corresponding financing costs, he drives a modest private car,” Motion Records said. I’m here.

“His income for 2021 was about $10,000 and the company’s net income was another $7,000. “

Garrah also has limited income from his job as a general contractor selling windows and doors, according to court filings. and is worth about $400,000. His only other assets are his work tools and his two trucks, one of which is not working for him, Motion His Records says.

Plaintiffs in the Lee case resisted motions to release the funds, arguing that Dichter and Galler must prove that they have no other assets available before they can apply to release the funds from escrow. ing.

“In this case, the petitioner is not wealthy, but he is not irresponsible,” the plaintiff replied. “Both are paid employees and have assets.”

Plaintiff’s response points out that both Dichter and Garrah own cars and have income. Dichter said he earns income from podcasts and has just published a book about the fleet, which could bring him more income.

Court previously unfreezes $100,000 of donations to pay attorneys’ fees to another group of defendants in lawsuits involving Freedom Corporation 2022, a nonprofit established to receive donations I agreed.

Freedom Corp. also disputes the allegations, saying it received money from escrow only after it agreed not to contest a court order freezing donations, known as the Mareva order.

“The funds Garrah and Dichter are trying to access are donations intended to be granted to Freedom Corp.,” the company’s response said.

“Freedom Corp. has a fiduciary duty as the intended fiduciary of donated funds to ensure that the donated funds are used effectively and efficiently.”

The Attorney General of Ontario also filed a summary of the case, stating that it intends to seize $3.4 million in funds donated through GiveSendGo as “crime-related property,” and that convoy organizers Tamara Rich or Christopher · Be prepared in case Barber is convicted of a crime. sins they face.

A hearing on Dichter and Garrah’s motion is scheduled for Tuesday morning.