Witnesses File Defamation Action Against Karen Read And Blogger Aidan Kearney

BOSTON, Mass. – Four witnesses who testified publicly concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of slain Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe today filed a civil lawsuit alleging that Karen Read and blogger Aidan “TurtleBoy” Kearney orchestrated a sweeping, years-long campaign to falsely implicate them in Mr. O’Keefe’s death in order to help Read avoid responsibility for causing Mr. O’Keefe’s death herself.

In a complaint filed in Massachusetts Superior Court, Jennifer McCabe, Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Brian Higgins allege that Read and Kearney worked hand in hand to construct and amplify a false narrative that the plaintiffs, not Read, were responsible for O’Keefe’s death and engaged in covering it up.

“For years, we have done the right thing by assisting authorities in the hope that John’s family would find justice and peace. As a result, we and our families have been subjected to relentless false accusations, harassment, and intimidation based on a deliberate campaign of lies,” Jennifer McCabe, Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Brian Higgins said in a joint statement. “These lies have torn our community apart and caused immense suffering. We are bringing this lawsuit to hold the defendants accountable for what they have done to us, the O’Keefe family, and our community. In doing so, we hope to protect future witnesses from experiencing the devastation and cruelty that we have endured.”

“Our clients testified bravely and publicly because it was the right thing to do. When witnesses are abused and defamed simply for doing their civic duty, their lives are shattered and our entire justice system is put at risk. This lawsuit seeks to right those wrongs,” said Chris Mattei, partner at Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder and co-counsel for the plaintiffs.

The complaint describes how the plaintiffs were thrust into the public spotlight as targets of hostility—facing harassment at their homes, workplaces, and even their children’s events. The complaint alleges that the campaign led to relentless online abuse and in-person confrontations, forcing some to uproot their daily lives for safety, while Kearney allegedly continued to reap significant profits from the platforms he used to spread these lies.

“Our clients stayed silent for years in the face of physical confrontation, harassment and a barrage of verbal attacks. We’re proud to continue representing these witnesses in this new action and assist their mission to reclaim their reputations,” said Jim Tuxbury, partner at Hinckley Allen & Snyder and co-counsel for the plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs’ investigation is ongoing and any other third parties engaged in defamatory conduct may be subject to a future lawsuit.

The lawsuit brings claims including defamation, civil conspiracy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among others. The plaintiffs are represented by law firms Hinckley Allen & Snyder and Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder.

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Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, based in Connecticut, is a nationally recognized law firm that has achieved landmark verdicts and settlements in cases involving defamation, medical malpractice, civil rights violations, dangerous products, governmental negligence, and catastrophic personal injury. The firm is committed to fighting for justice on behalf of individuals and families harmed by preventable wrongdoing.

Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP is a full-service law firm dedicated to delivering exceptional results for its clients. With more than 170 attorneys across offices in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island, the firm represents leading regional, national, and global businesses in their most critical legal and business matters. Since 1906, Hinckley Allen has played a vital role in shaping the landscape of law, business, government, and community engagement. Learn more at hinckleyallen.com.