Webb Closer To Getting To Bottom Of Fake Website

Ritchie Webb is out of politics but he still wants to know who set up a website that he says tarnished his reputation during last year’s race for the 142nd State House district race.

The website – RitchieWebb.com – was shut down after Lou Hornstine, Webb’s attorney, sent a cease-and-deist letter to hosting provider GoDaddy.com in May 2014.

RitchieWebb.com first appeared online in April 2014 and used the candidate’s name and likeness on it. The site asked whether he was  a “Folk hero or Fraud.” In addition, the website called out Webb on his views of drilling, abortion, unions and his switch from Republican to Democrat.

Webb, a Middletown resident who formerly led the Neshaminy School Board, said many of the claims were completely wrong.

“The website sought to provide false information to individuals /potential voters seeking information on the Plaintiff as a candidate. The website address and construction of the website was deliberate and deceptive to make it seem as if it was affiliated with the Plaintiff,” court documents filed by Hornstine stated.

Webb called the website “cowardly” and said it likely misled some voters prior to the primary race, which Democrat Gina Kiley of Levittown won. In the General Election, Republican Frank Farry won over Kiley.

The website was registered by a third-party registry site that keeps users anonymous.

Webb’s opponents and the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, who Webb was often at odds with during Neshaminy’s five-year contract battle, all denied creating the website.

Hornstine and Webb have continued to pursue the issue.

“I pursued this because I thought it was one of the lowest political tricks I have ever seen,” Webb said.

Soon, according to a recent Bucks County Court ruling, website operators – identified in court paperwork as John Doe No. 1, the owner, and John Doe No. 2, a contributor – will have to reveal their identities to Webb and Hornstine. The two unidentified people have been represented since 2014 by Philadelphia attorney Jon-Jorge Aras, who did not respond to a call from LevittownNow.com seeking comment on the case.

Aras tried to quash Hornstine’s motion to find out who made the website, but a judge ruled against the attorney’s motion. Hornstine argued that the website defamed Webb.

Hornstine told LevittownNow.com an “honorable person” would have already come forward.

“Mr. Webb wanted to be assured that the despicable individual was stopped and exposed so that they would never have the opportunity to this again. We all believe in the freedom of speech. However, when one attempts to use the name of another to spread false information, this action needs to be challenged and defeated,” Hornstine said.

“This is a reason why people want to stay out of  politics,” Webb said. “Who wants people to come out, use your name and put falsehoods about your name up?”

Throughout the campaign there were election signs from candidates that went missing or were damaged, but Webb called the website “a whole different ballgame.”

Both Webb and Hornstine wouldn’t say if they are seeking financial compensation from John Doe No. 1 and John Doe No.2 . They also wouldn’t comment if they had suspicions on who was behind the website, but they should know soon.

Editor’s Note: Lou Hornstine serves as the business attorney for LevittownNow.com and its parent company but has no editorial influence over news articles published.