Ben Abbott's legal fees
Donation protected
"Lake Restoration Solutions," the developers who are proposing to dredge Utah Lake, create man-made islands over 1/5th of it, and then build housing on those islands, have run up against some formidable adversaries, including BYU professor, Ben Abbott. Abbott is an expert on Utah Lake, having studied it extensively for many years. Along with hundreds of local conservationists, scientists, engineers, natural resource managers, recreation managers and environmental lawyers, Abbott has been speaking out against the proposal, and with convincing expertise, has been contradicting Utah Lake Solutions' claims about health and well-being of the lake.
Now, "Lake Restoration Solutions" is suing Abbott for $3 million, claiming defamation, false light, and intentional interference with prospective economic relations. The legal action constitutes a "SLAPP" suit -- "Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation." Utah law allows Abbott to file an "anti-SLAPP" suit against the company, but he will need some financial help to do so. We should help him.
Organizer and beneficiary
Melanie McCoard
Organizer
Provo, UT
Adam Johnson
Beneficiary