Ha Et Al V. Conn

Case Background

On September 30, 2020, Johnny Ha and his wife, Jenny Pham, and mother-in-law Helen Le filed a defamation lawsuit against Tina Conn for posting videos about them on YouTube slandering and defaming them using vulgar and obscene language. The case was heard before the United States District Court, Vermont, Burlington Division and Judge William K. Sessions III presided over this case. [Case number: 2:20cv155]

Cause

Plaintiff Johnny Ha, also known as Mr. Ha, lived in Alexandria, Virginia. He was married to Jenny Pham, who also resided in Alexandria and was the daughter of Helen Le. Helen Le, a resident of Alexandria, was Jenny’s mother and Johnny’s mother-in-law. Defendant Tina Conn, a Vermont resident, posted several videos on YouTube. In these videos, she made derogatory statements about the Plaintiffs. Her videos, which were viewed hundreds of times, falsely accused the plaintiffs of criminal acts, including adultery, prostitution, and bestiality.

DEFENDANT'S YOUTUBE VIDEO #1 (AUGUST 2020)

In one video from August 2020, Tina Conn directed offensive language at Helen Le, calling her derogatory names and making inappropriate comments. Conn’s statements in this video suggested that Helen engaged in prostitution and bestiality, charges that are criminal offenses involving moral turpitude. Helen Le had never participated in such activities. Conn made these claims knowing they were false or with reckless disregard for their truthfulness. Her intent was to harass and intimidate the plaintiffs based on ethnic, racial, religious, and gender animosity.

DEFENDANT'S YOUTUBE VIDEO #2 (JULY 2020)

In another video from July 2020, Conn reacted angrily after Johnny Ha contacted the police about her defamation. She insulted him and dismissed the police’s ability to address her actions, challenging him to take her to court.

DEFENDANT'S YOUTUBE VIDEO #3 (JULY 2020)

In a third video from July 2020, Conn specifically targeted Jenny Ha, describing her mother, Helen Le, with vulgar terms. Conn’s remarks included insulting language and false accusations.

DEFENDANT'S YOUTUBE VIDEO #4 (JUNE 2020)

In June 2020, Defendant posted a YouTube video ("Video #4") where she pointed to a picture of Ms. Ha's mother, Ms. Le. Defendant described Ms. Le in Vietnamese using derogatory terms such as "whore mother," "slut," "old whore," and "whore who fucks." In Video #4, the Defendant used Vietnamese to refer to Plaintiffs Jenny Ha and Helen Le, making several offensive statements. She insulted Ms. Le, calling her a "pig-ignorant daughter" and a "stupid idiot." The Defendant claimed Ms. Le allowed others to desecrate her ancestors' graves and cursed her ancestors continuously. She derogatorily labeled Ms. Le as a "slut," "bitch," and "brute," and accused her of