The website that appeared online several weeks ago and asked if Democratic state representative candidate Ritchie Webb Sr. is a “Folk Hero or Fraud” was pulled down after threats of legal action were sent to the domain host company.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
“Obviously the individual or group behind these lies wish to avoid further exposure and embarrassment. I still plan to vigorously pursue this injustice for their false comments. The constituents should decide this election based on truths not lies,” Lou Hornstine, Webb’s attorney, exclusively told LevittownNow.com on Sunday.
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RitchieWebb.com, which now goes to a GoDaddy.com page, called Webb out on his recent party switch and listed alleged stances on issues, which his campaign said was factually wrong. The political page appears to have been taken down some time last week.
“I am pleased that the website using my name to spread lies about me has been taken down. I just wish the people behind this website had the decency not to put it up in the first place rather than being forced to do the right thing only after being contacted by my attorney, Louis Hornstine. These cheap political tricks coming from supporters of my opponent are a disservice to the good people of the 142nd district,” Webb said.
The website was registered on April 1, 2014 and the domain was set to expire on April 1, 2015, according to online records. The owner of the political site set it up through a service that masks the owner’s true identity.
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Hornestien said he was looking into legal action against the site but would not provide specifics. The former New Jersey state judge represented Webb’s son Ritchie in a suit involving Bristol Borough which was settled for over $450,000 this past August. That suit is still the cause of controversy for the borough’s police department presently with demands for an investigation into the activities of borough officers and officials.
The Democratic primary race in the 142nd district is one of the most hotly contested races in the area.
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Webb’s Democratic challenger Gina Kiley denied any connection to the website late last week. Republican State Rep. Frank Farry also denied having involvement with the site and said that’s not the way he runs campaigns.
Hornstine said he has known the Webb family for over 25 years. He is the solicitor for the Bristol Borough School District as well as corporate attorney for the Street Lamp Media Group LLC, which owns LevittownNow.com.
