Trump Campaign, New Hampshire Cops Settle with Artist for $35K for Attack

Remember back in 2016 when he was running for president, Trump said he would pay the legal fees of anyone who roughed up protesters? Well, that happened to Rod Webber in 2015, and he just made the campaign pay up for it! Fun Fact: DLJ appears in his new documentary 2020: The Dumpster Fire, and you can see the trailer in this article.

Rod Webber, RodWebber.com

Okay, so… I settled with the Trump Campaign and the Manchester NH Police Department. And because it is a settlement, I’ll say up front— they disagree with my version of events— I disagree with their version— and this is just my opinion, man– and from a legal standpoint, settling means that “they did nothing wrong.” Whatever. But you can all see the truth on the video (start at 20:23)— they threw me over a table WWE style, then beat the crap out of me for doing what journalists are supposed to do– asking meaningful questions. My status as a “colorful character” or whatever stick-up-the-ass descriptors ascribed to me my the lazy and disingenuous corporate press is meaningless in a court of law.

The Trump Campaign, the cops and the rest of their minions and they wouldn’t be coughing up this money if the court hadn’t decided that so many of my points were valid AF, and therefore allowed to proceed. These maggots wouldn’t have signed off on this if they couldn’t see that a jury would’ve torn them a new asshole. Their opinion sucks— and you all know I’m in the right. It is my opinion that they are inter-dimensional space maggots. You know it. I know it. It’s plain for all to see.

Now that that is out of the way— on to the bullshit.

On October 12th, 2015, a Trump security officer, Edward Deck collaborated with Officer James Pittman of the Manchester Police to attack documentarian and journalist, Rod Webber for asking a journalistic question of Donald Trump at a multi-candidate event, which was not a Donald Trump rally. Pittman was off-duty, but in uniform, and Deck was employed by the Trump Campaign as well as XMark (a shell company) according to FEC records. Deck was not hired by the “No Labels Problem Solvers” event, and XMark was dissolved during the course of litigation, presumably to further shield his employer, Donald Trump and the Trump Campaign from legal consequences.

At the No Labels event, Trump had just delivered about twenty minutes of remarks leading into a scheduled Q&A. There had been multiple problems with the PA, even to the extent that Trump encouraged people in the audience to shout so he could hear them. Reasonably, Webber, (in the front row), concluded that when the PA did not work during the Q&A, it shouldn’t be a problem for him to raise his hand and quietly ask a question to Trump who was about five feet away. The problem wasn’t Webber’s lack of procedure, or “decorum” (as later became an issue— it was that Webber asked a question embarrassing to Mr. Trump, a game-show host and WWE wrestling clown. Webber asked if Trump was aware that Webber had been assaulted at a Trump event in Rochester NH. Trump sarcastically responded “you look healthy to me.”

Within minutes, Edward Deck, (Trump security), Fred Doucette (Trump staff) and others named in the suit had made a wall around Webber trying to force him from the venue. Deck made very clear threats of violence, saying, “you’re going to see my name all over your face,” which witness Kevin Bowe, (in an affidavit), interpreted to mean he would punch Webber. When Webber stood his ground, Pittman was called in and grabbed Webber from behind, at which point Deck joined in. The pair threw Webber into a table which went smashing to the ground. They then picked him up and threw him to the ground once again, further roughing him up. Webber exclaimed, “I was just trying to ask a question.” Deck shouted, “I don’t give a shit,” as he continued to push Webber into the velvet ropes which Webber had become entangled.

Deck is not a police officer. However, conspiring to commit assault with a cop means that Deck was working “under color of law,” according to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Webber, (representing himself), hit Trump and the Trump campaign using respondent superior, (Latin for “respond to the superior,” (meaning Trump was responsible for his employees). Webber also used alter ego doctrine, citing other cases in which judges had ruled that Trump, the man, the Campaign and the Company were all the same, and merely “an alter-ego.”

After Webber was roughed up, he was briefly detained by four off-duty Manchester Police Officers. He was then released. At this time, Webber asked Sgt. Aldenberg, (of Manchester PD), if he could press charges against the other officers and Deck. For asking this question, Aldenberg and the other officers performed a retaliatory arrest. Officer Pittman then collaborated with Edward Deck to create a police report which falsified events. This is of course, perjury.

A couple days later, Ryan Clancy from No Labels called Webber, and Webber recorded the phone call. Clancy spilled his guts and told Webber he saw what happened, and “it wasn’t right.” He repeated phrases like this over and over again. Webber submitted the recording to the court, and likely played a part in the Campaign Defendants and Manchester Defendants deciding to settle out of court. As they say, “the cover-up is worse than the crime.”

Listen to the Clancy call yourself:

Webber brought forward 18 claims, some of which were dropped by the court because “no evidence” had been submitted. When Webber objected, showing video links in the complaint, and citing video links the Court itself had used, the Court replied that Webber’s complaint was too lengthy and they didn’t have time to look at this evidence. If Webber had chosen not to settle, this certainly could’ve been brought forward on appeal. Nonetheless, the Trump Campaign was ultimately found to be potentially liable for 9 torts— 6 of them civil rights claims under 42 USC section 1983.

Lawyers for The Campaign and Deck cited a NH law which says that unlicensed security can use “up to lethal force to maintain decorum.” It’s a law which is really on the books.

Six torts moved forward on Deck. Fourteen on XMark. Seven on Doucette.

When negotiating, Webber insisted that on principle, the settlement amount should have some symbolic meaning. The Trump Campaign/ The Campaign Defendants agreed to settle for $20k, which Webber agreed to since it is the year Trump lost, and also happens to be the year Webber’s new documentary is named after— “2020: The Dumpster Fire,” which includes court-related drama from this case.

The Manchester Defendants (City of Manchester and the Manchester Police) agreed to settle for $15k. Sixteen torts went forward against the City of Manchester, while fourteen went forward against the officers themselves.

In the end, if I tallied up the hours I put into this thing, I would’ve made more per hour working at Walmart. That said, it was never about the money. Our system— and our court system is broken, almost beyond repair. Legally speaking, settling means that Trump, nor the police nor any of their associates are legally accountable for their actions. That is a grave injustice— not so much for me, but for those who have suffered greater loss than myself. For those like myself who bring forward these lawsuits, this is as close as we’re going to get to an admission of wrong-doing. In that sense, I view this as a moral victory. I only wish that those who have been truly been wronged by these people were able to get real justice. Sadly, our hopelessly broken system doesn’t allow for it.

I’m not a politician or a pundit or a lawyer. I’m an artist. I just wanna do weird shit and help people to see the world from a different perspective. So— Yesterday evening, I chose to have my friend Vermin Supreme be the witness who signed off on the final documentation. Not only was he a supporter of the cause from day one— he actively used his platform in 2015 to bring attention to the case, and continued to do so into 2020. For that, I will always be grateful. Vermin is a true friend.

I would also like to thank Kevin Bowe who recorded the initial assault, bailed me out of jail, and was gracious enough to write an affidavit confirming the miscarriage of justice which happened on that October say in 2015.

I also want to thank all my friends and family and the staff of the Vermin Campaign and Lauren Pespisa for helping me out, and putting up with me as I took on the challenge of going toe-to-toe with lawyers for the President of the United States for close to 200 motions.

Now that we’re done with all this nonsense, let’s make art!

THESE ARE THE TORTS THAT WENT FORWARD WHICH THEY COULD’VE BEEN FOUND LIABLE FOR:

TRUMP CAMPAIGN Counts V, X–XIII, and XV-XVII.
STATE LAW CLAIM: NEGLIGENT HIRING, TRAINING, SUPERVISION, RETENTION (Count V)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Freedom of Speech, First Amendment Violation (Count X)
CIVIL RIGHTS: First Amendment, Freedom of Religion (Count XI)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Hiring and Retention (Count XII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Supervision (Count XIII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE IMPRISONMENT- 14th AMENDMENT (XV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE ARREST- FOURTH AMENDMENT (XVI)

In addition, Counts I and VII against the Trump Campaign remain in the case to the extent they are based on vicarious liability for Doucette’s or Trump Campaign staff’s actions;

Assault (Count 1)
False Imprisonment (Count VII)

9 torts

DECK: Counts I, II, VI-XII, and XIV-XVI;
STATE LAW CLAIM: Assault (Count I)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Battery (Count II)
STATE LAW CLAIM: INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION/ FRAUD (Count VI)
STATE LAW CLAIM: False Imprisonment (Count VII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: MALICIOUS ABUSE OF PROCESS (Count XIV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE ARREST- FOURTH AMENDMENT (XVI)

6 torts

XMARK Counts I–XIII, XV, and XVI;
STATE LAW CLAIM: Assault (Count I)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Battery (Count II)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Intentional infliction of Emotional Distress (Count III)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Negligence (Count IV)
STATE LAW CLAIM: INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION/ FRAUD (Count VI)
STATE LAW CLAIM: False Imprisonment (Count VII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Unreasonable Seizure-Terry Stop and Frisk, 4th Amendment violations (VIII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Unreasonable search & seizure “Excessive Force,” 4th am violations (IX)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Freedom of Speech, First Amendment Violation (Count X)
CIVIL RIGHTS: First Amendment, Freedom of Religion (Count XI)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Hiring and Retention (Count XII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Supervision (Count XIII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE IMPRISONMENT- 14th AMENDMENT (XV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE ARREST- FOURTH AMENDMENT (XVI)

14 torts

DOUCETTE: Counts I, VII, X, XI, XII, XV, and XVI;
STATE LAW CLAIM: Assault (Count I)
STATE LAW CLAIM: False Imprisonment (Count VII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Freedom of Speech, First Amendment Violation (Count X)
CIVIL RIGHTS: First Amendment, Freedom of Religion (Count XI)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Hiring and Retention (Count XII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE IMPRISONMENT- 14th AMENDMENT (XV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE ARREST- FOURTH AMENDMENT (XVI)

7 torts

Torts against the City of Manchester: Counts I-V, VII-XVIII;
STATE LAW CLAIM: Assault (Count I)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Battery (Count II)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Intentional infliction of Emotional Distress (Count III)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Negligence (Count IV)
STATE LAW CLAIM: NEGLIGENT HIRING, TRAINING, SUPERVISION, RETENTION (Count V)
STATE LAW CLAIM: False Imprisonment (Count VII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Unreasonable Seizure-Terry Stop and Frisk, 4th Amendment violations (VIII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Unreasonable search & seizure “Excessive Force,” 4th am violations (IX)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Freedom of Speech, First Amendment Violation (Count X)
CIVIL RIGHTS: First Amendment, Freedom of Religion (Count XI)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Hiring and Retention (Count XII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Supervision (Count XIII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: MALICIOUS ABUSE OF PROCESS (Count XIV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE IMPRISONMENT- 14th AMENDMENT (XV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE ARREST- FOURTH AMENDMENT (XVI)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Retaliation (XVII)

16 torts

Torts against each of the Officer Defendants: Counts I-IV, VII-XII, XIV-XVII;
STATE LAW CLAIM: Assault (Count I)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Battery (Count II)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Intentional infliction of Emotional Distress (Count III)
STATE LAW CLAIM: Negligence (Count IV)
STATE LAW CLAIM: False Imprisonment (Count VII)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Unreasonable Seizure-Terry Stop and Frisk, 4th Amendment violations (VIII) CIVIL RIGHTS: Unreasonable search & seizure “Excessive Force,” 4th am violations (IX) CIVIL RIGHTS: Freedom of Speech, First Amendment Violation (Count X)
CIVIL RIGHTS: First Amendment, Freedom of Religion (Count XI)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent Hiring and Retention (Count XII)

CIVIL RIGHTS: MALICIOUS ABUSE OF PROCESS (Count XIV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE IMPRISONMENT- 14th AMENDMENT (XV)
CIVIL RIGHTS: FALSE ARREST- FOURTH AMENDMENT (XVI)
CIVIL RIGHTS: Retaliation (XVII)

14 torts

Torts against Aldenberg but not the other Officer Defendants: Count XIII
CIVIL RIGHTS: Negligent supervision (XIII)

1 Tort

Torts against Craig, Cosio and Aldenberg but not Pittman: Count XVIII
CIVIL RIGHTS: Failure to Intervene (Count XVIII)

1 tort

LINKS

See the video of the incident as part of Webber’s 2016 film “FLOWERS FOR PEACE,” which has been viewed over a million times. Start at 20:23 https://youtu.be/LCeKsIDE8vY

See the signing of the documents with Vermin Supreme here:
https://www.facebook.com/rod.webber.50/videos/10164631779250123

See the trailer for the new film, “2020: THE DUMPSTER FIRE” https://youtu.be/pOo-87UFVl8

See PDFs of documents from lawsuit here: https://rodwebber.wordpress.com/govt/

See the trailer for “THIS IS VERMIN SUPREME” out on INDIE RIGHTS, and on STREAMING soon!
https://youtu.be/5UBHIJdNE64

NY TIMES article:
“[Trump] Defending himself against lawsuits by individuals who claim they were assaulted at campaign events has also consumed a significant chunk of campaign funds. Those include long-running lawsuits filed by a Massachusetts peace activist, Rod Webber, who sued Mr. Trump’s campaign after he claimed he was thrown “head first into a table” after he had tried to ask a question of Mr. Trump in 2015 during an event in New Hampshire. The Trump campaign has paid $101,828 to a New Hampshire-based firm, Cleveland, Water and Bass, that has been handling the case since last year.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/05/us/politics/trump-campaign-funds-legal-bills.html

FEC FILINGS:
https://www.fec.gov/data/disbursements/?data_type=processed&recipient_name=cleveland+waters&two_year_transaction_period=2020&two_year_transaction_period=2018&two_year_transaction_period=2016

MANCHESTER INKLINK 2015 ARTICLE
https://manchesterinklink.com/flower-power-thwarted-by-trump-handlers-after-flower-guy-arrested/

WAPO 2015 ARTICLE
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/10/12/man-who-gave-bush-flowers-thrown-out-of-trump-qa/

WMUR 2016 ARTICLE ABOUT ARREST
https://www.wmur.com/article/flower-guy-avoids-jail-time-in-connection-with-trump-incident/5208151

CNN 2015 ARTICLE
https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/24/politics/donald-trump-flower-boy-rod-webber/index.html

Check out songs in our movie by SexDrone, The Cups and Home Despot