Former Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge Files $50,000 Defamation Suit Against The Bradenton Times

In a legal turn of events following his defeat in the August primary election, former Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Bradenton Times, along with political consultant Anthony Pedicini. The lawsuit, seeking damages exceeding $50,000, centers on a series of satirical cartoons posted on social media over the past year, depicting Van Ostenbridge and Pedicini in a critical light.

The complaint, filed in Manatee County Circuit Court, alleges that the cartoons disparaged Van Ostenbridge’s reputation, causing harm to his personal and professional standing. The lawsuit also names Hawkes Cates, accusing him of collaborating with unidentified individuals referred to as “Doe Defendants” to create and distribute the contentious content.

Van Ostenbridge’s political career faced a significant setback earlier this year when he lost his bid for re-election to George Kruse in the Republican primary. The satirical cartoons, which became a recurring topic on social media platforms leading up to the election, reportedly targeted Van Ostenbridge’s policies and his professional association with Pedicini.

The lawsuit seeks to identify and hold accountable all individuals involved in creating and disseminating the media. It asserts that the cartoons were defamatory and intended to influence public perception during the heated election season.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case will likely spark broader discussions about the intersection of political discourse, satire, and defamation in the age of social media.