BY JESSICA PARKS
A staffer for former state
Sen. Marty Golden launched
a $5.5 million defamation suit
against state Sen. Andrew
Gounardes for claiming he
was a member of the alt-right
“Proud Boys” group last year.
While campaigning for
Golden’s southern Brooklyn
senate seat last year, Gounardes
slammed staffer Ian-
Walsh Reilly for inviting
Proud Boys and Vice Media
co-founder Gavin McInnis
to an event at the Metropolitan
Republican Club in Manhattan,
which resulted in a
brawl as members of the farright
group clashed with anti
facist activists.
“I am horrifi ed by the revelation
that my opponent has
a member of the white nationalist
group Proud Boys on
his payroll,” Gounardes said
last year following the fracas.
“New York cannot afford to
have anyone in offi ce that associates
COURIER L 16 IFE, NOVEMBER 8-14, 2019
himself with hate.”
But Reilly’s decision to
host a Proud Boys event does
not make him a member, according
to Reilly’s attorney,
who said Gounardes intentionally
confused his client’s
willingness to exchange
ideas with the Proud Boys as
an endorsement of their controversial
agenda.
“Just because he invited
the founder of the Proud Boys
to speak at the Metropolitan
Republican Club does not
mean that he is a member, or
that he, or the Metropolitan
Republican Club endorses
their views,” said Dennis
Houdek. “Instead, it is a classic
free speech issue.”
News of the lawsuit has
done little to cow the southern
Brooklyn Democrat, who
doubled down on his year-old
statement, contending that
Reilly’s defamation claim
will not distract from “the
fact” that he gave alleged
white supremacy outfi t an opportunity
to spread hate.
“At a time when the rising
tide of hate threatens our
country and our communities,”
he said. “I won’t back
down from calling out prejudice
and hate whenever and
wherever it arises.”
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes faces a civil suit for claiming a staff member
for former state Sen. Marty Golden was a member of the Proud Boys
group. Andrew Gounardes’ offi ce
Golden boy strikes back
Former NY Senate staffer sues old boss’s
Democrat successor for defamation
Former state Sen. Marty Golden
File photo