TN- Police director sues (AOL) to find identity of blogger critical of MPD

7-22-2008 Tennessee:

Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and the city of Memphis have filed a lawsuit to learn who operates a blog critical of the director and his department.

The lawsuit, filed in Chancery Court recently, asks AOL to produce all information related to the identity of an e-mail address linked to MPD Enforcer 2.0, a blog popular with cops that has been extremely critical of police leadership at 201 Poplar Ave.

The lawsuit seeks any and all information related to the creation of the e-mail account, any billing or payment records dealing with the account and any names, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers or addresses associated with the site.

Much of the case has been sealed by Chancellor Kenny Armstrong.

“Larry Godwin has subpoenaed AOL over an attempt to obtain the identities of the blog operators,” the anonymous bloggers wrote.

“In what could be a landmark case of privacy and the 1st Amendment, Godwin has illegally used his position and the City of Memphis as a ram to ruin the Constitution of the United States,” said the bloggers, who operate under the name of Dirk Diggler. “Some members of the Enforcer 2.0 have contacted their attorneys and we are in the process of filing a lawsuit against Larry and the City of Memphis. What's wrong Larry? The truth hurt?”

City and police officials were not immediately available for comment. ..News Source.. by Amos Maki (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal