Man Sues Ohio City for Arresting Him Over Parody Police Facebook Page

A man charged with and acquitted of a felony for creating a Facebook page that parodied a suburban Cleveland police department is suing the city, saying it violated his right to free speech

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October 11, 2017

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A man charged with and acquitted of a felony for creating a Facebook page that parodied a suburban Cleveland police department is suing the city, saying it violated his right to free speech, reports the Associated Press.

Anthony Novak sued the city of Parma and three officers Tuesday. Authorities say he created a Facebook page in March 2016 that displayed a name similar to Parma's police department and posted items suggesting police were performing free abortions for teenagers. The page also suggested it would be illegal to help the homeless for three months.

The 28-year-old Novak was charged with a felony count of disrupting public services and acquitted after trial in August 2016.

The lawsuit seeks financial compensation, legal fees and an injunction against Parma police.

Topics:Social Media Free Speech legal issues Ohio agencies Lawsuits The Midwest Ohio Command Patrol

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