Peck Lawsuit Against Patch Commenter Dismissed

Garrett Peck. Credit: File photo

A village trustee’s lawsuit against the Plainfield Township Democratic Organization chairman over comments made anonymously on Patch was dismissed in Will County court earlier this month.

Garrett Peck, who sits on the Plainfield village board and formerly served as the executive director of the Plainfield Park District, last week said the suit against Mike Keniley was settled out of court.

“Garrett Peck filed suit against Mike Keniley for posting allegedly damaging statements in the Plainfield Patch,” Peck said in a written statement to Patch. “The matter settled out of court and neither party claims or admits fault.”

Keniley, who said the suit was dismissed at no cost to him, referred questions to his attorney, John Skawski.

Skawski did not return a call from Patch.

According to court documents, Peck had sought $30,001 plus $567 in court fees.

The case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

Allegations of defamation

Peck filed the suit against Keniley in October 2013, claiming Keniley made false and defamatory statements about him online in the comments on Patch stories.

• Read: Peck Sues Democratic Party Chairman Over Patch Comments

Peck alleged that Keniley, using the name “Eyes on Plainfield,” made comments accusing him of using clout to obtain a lucrative contract with Plainfield School District 202.

The case was originally filed in Cook County, but transferred to Will County in early 2014.

In January 2013, Peck filed a petition seeking the identities of commenters he called “anonymous cyberbullies” from Patch and Topix, an online discussion board.

• Read: Plainfield Trustee Wants Names of ‘Anonymous Cyberbullies’

In addition to “Eyes on Plainfield,” Peck also asked Patch and Topix for account information for commenters “Tim” and “Ron.” Topix was also asked for the identity of “Fiscal Republicans,” who reportedly accused Peck of having an extramarital affair.

Using the name “John Doe,” the commenter using the name “Tim” was able to successfully defend his privacy in court.

Peck was ultimately able to unmask only Keniley as “Eyes on Plainfield.”