For background, go here.
From an account at the HuffPo:
… “I struggled every single day to maintain my law school studies, in the face of incredible stress and anxiety,” Williams said in a prepared statement. “Still, I refused to allow these pornographers to control my dream to graduate from law school and realize my goals.”
Williams originally sued 59 defendants in the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cayman Islands, Canada and South Africa that allegedly took part in distributing the videos. U.S. District Judge Irene M. Kelley dismissed 28 of those defendants, a decision Williams is appealing.
The nine defendants found liable during a bench trial are Castle Company Property Ltd., The Moles Trust, Russell M. Moles, Gwendoline E. Moles and Guy Blomberg, all of Australia; Vidbidness Inc. and Eric Ridley of California; and Etrax Productions and Ronald Yates of Texas.
They all chose not to participate in the trial nor have attorneys represent them.
Mascari said this has been a grueling experience for Williams, whose online presence is usually the first thing she has to address with people she meets, from potential employers to boyfriends.
The bogus videos also attracted a stalker who sent her thousands of disturbing letters, Mascari said.
“She’s been living a nightmare,” Mascari said. “This has been a really hard process for her, but she never gave up.”
Williams now hopes the first thing that pops up on an Internet search of her name is news about her vindication.
Very similar ABC News account here, and Yahoo news account here.
–Ann Bartow
