Pennsylvania State Senator and former GOP gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Doug Mastriano, has filed a lawsuit against a Canadian university and nearly two dozen academics over their criticism of him and his research into World War I hero Sgt. Alvin York. The defamation, racketeering, and antitrust lawsuit seeks damages of at least $10 million from defendants including history professors and the University of New Brunswick.
Critics argue that Mastriano’s lawsuit is an attempt to stifle public debate and stretch antitrust and racketeering laws beyond recognition to silence his critics. The backlash against Mastriano’s research claims by World War I history experts and a faculty member at the Canadian university was highlighted in a March 2021 story. Despite having the backing of former President Trump, Mastriano lost the Pennsylvania governor’s race to Democrat Josh Shapiro in the following year.
Sgt. Alvin York was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in World War I. Mastriano, represented by lawyer Dan Cox, alleges that the criticisms he faced have resulted in financial losses and personal harm. University officials have argued that the lawsuit is a dispute over academic protocol and should be resolved within an educational committee.
In response to the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case, Mastriano argues that he does not need to recite the defamatory statements word for word to plead a defamation claim. The lawsuit describes Mastriano as a victim of a long-running racketeering and anti-trust enterprise that has allegedly harmed his professional opportunities and caused emotional suffering.
Despite facing criticism and legal challenges, Mastriano maintains that he has not broken any laws in connection to the events at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, where he was present. The lawsuit filed by Mastriano sheds light on the ongoing legal battle surrounding his research into Sgt. Alvin York and the responses from the academic community involved in the controversy.
