Oberlin College to pay bakery 11M after furthering racism accusations jury

i am happy for hard-working bakery guys, i hope that the real racists (those who always pay race card) will learn something form this


"Oberlin College in Ohio will have to pay a nearby bakery more than $11 million in damages because it libeled the store, tagging it as racist, and interfered with its business, a jury said on Friday.

Gibson's Bakery came under fire after Allyn Gibson, the owners' son, got into a physical altercation with a black student who reportedly tried shoplifting and using a fake ID at the store, The Chronicle-Telegram said. Two other black students got involved, appearing to prompt accusations of racial profiling.

The three students eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and read statements defending Allyn Gibson's right to detain them. They also read statements claiming that his actions weren't racially motivated, but within days of the incident, students were turning out for protests fueled by accusations of racist intent....RACIAL DISPUTE AT BELOVED BAKERY ROILS LIBERAL COLLEGE TOWN

The jury also found that the college (not Raimondo) was guilty of intentional infliction of emotional distress for the owner, David Gibson, as well as libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress on his son.

Donica Thomas Varner, the college's general counsel, said he was disappointed with the verdict and denied the college had defamed the bakery or its owners.

“Neither Oberlin College nor Dean Meredith Raimondo defamed a local business or its owners, and they never endorsed statements made by others," Varner reportedly said.

"Rather, the college and Dr. Raimondo worked to ensure that students’ freedom of speech was protected and that the student demonstrations were safe and lawful, and they attempted to help the plaintiffs repair any harm caused by the student protests.”"
Oberlin College to pay bakery $11M after furthering racism accusations: jury | Fox News

Litwin said:

i am happy for hard-working bakery guys, i hope that the real racists (those who always pay race card) will learn something form this


"Oberlin College in Ohio will have to pay a nearby bakery more than $11 million in damages because it libeled the store, tagging it as racist, and interfered with its business, a jury said on Friday.

Gibson's Bakery came under fire after Allyn Gibson, the owners' son, got into a physical altercation with a black student who reportedly tried shoplifting and using a fake ID at the store, The Chronicle-Telegram said. Two other black students got involved, appearing to prompt accusations of racial profiling.

The three students eventually pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges and read statements defending Allyn Gibson's right to detain them. They also read statements claiming that his actions weren't racially motivated, but within days of the incident, students were turning out for protests fueled by accusations of racist intent....RACIAL DISPUTE AT BELOVED BAKERY ROILS LIBERAL COLLEGE TOWN

The jury also found that the college (not Raimondo) was guilty of intentional infliction of emotional distress for the owner, David Gibson, as well as libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress on his son.

Donica Thomas Varner, the college's general counsel, said he was disappointed with the verdict and denied the college had defamed the bakery or its owners.

“Neither Oberlin College nor Dean Meredith Raimondo defamed a local business or its owners, and they never endorsed statements made by others," Varner reportedly said.

"Rather, the college and Dr. Raimondo worked to ensure that students’ freedom of speech was protected and that the student demonstrations were safe and lawful, and they attempted to help the plaintiffs repair any harm caused by the student protests.”"
Oberlin College to pay bakery $11M after furthering racism accusations: jury | Fox News

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I have no sympathy for the college but the article fails to explain what the school did that was considered showing a bias.

I can not celebrate nor criticize the decission without more to go on.

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The college seems to be run by a pack of idiots!! I hope they get hit hard with
the punitive damages!


Oberlin College mass email criticizing Jurors could influence Punitive Damages Hearing in Gibson’s Bakery case

Publicly accusing jurors of disregarding “the clear evidence our team presented” when the trial is not over is another baffling move by Oberlin College.
Oberlin College mass email criticizing Jurors could influence Punitive Damages Hearing in Gibson's Bakery case

There are a lot of things about the way Oberlin College handled the Gibson’s Bakery dispute and lawsuit that have had me wondering who, if anyone, is in control over there.

As mentioned numerous times, “from the start of this case I have questioned the aggressive and demeaning attacks on the Gibsons as a defense strategy,” and “I’m still shaking my head at the tone-deafness of the defense in belittling this family business.” The jury seems to have agreed, rendering a combined $11.2 million compensatory damages verdict against Oberlin College and its Dean of Students, Meredith Raimondo.

The next stage is a punitive damages hearing, since the jury found the defendants acted with intent and malice. A separate punitive damages hearing is required under the Ohio Tort Reform legislation that passed several years ago. The point is to keep some of the more inflammatory evidence that does not go to liability or compensatory damages away from the jury during the initial deliberations. That additional evidence relevant to punitive damages could include information as to the wealth of the defendants, but also additional information supporting the need for punishment.

In this context, there is nothing more baffling than a statement sent to alumni after the verdict by Donica Thomas Varner, Oberlin College’s Vice President and General Counsel.


Procedurally, the email is baffling because the trial is not over. The jury will hear more evidence and render a verdict on punitive damages that could add another $22 million to the $11 million compensatory. The objective of any communications at this sensitive stage must be to first do no harm. That’s how Scott Wargo, Oberlin’s spokesman, handled it when contacted by me and other media after the verdict, indicating the college had no comment on the jury verdict. Wargo’s statement was the professional response one would expect in this circumstance, so why are others at the college not heeding that basic corporate communications strategy?



Legal Insurrection has coverd the entire trial if interested it's here: Le*gal In*sur*rec*tion

A simple defamation case. And racists try to pretend false reports are the same as racism. Where's the defamation and disenfranchisement case for black people?

Ok i read up on this a bit more and understand the verdict now.

The college did indeed get involved by posting an offical news letter stating their position.

Here is a link to it

Gibson's Bakery v. Oberlin College Closing Argument: "When a powerful institution says you are racist, you are doomed"

They wanted to earn their sjw points and weighed in when they should of stayed out of it. Its sn interesting predicament for colleges.

If they dont take a stand the students attack them. If they do take the type of stand the students demand, they get hit with lawsuits.

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ecofarm said:

A simple defamation case. And racists try to pretend false reports are the same as racism. Where's the defamation and disenfranchisement case for black people?

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Try as you like to spin the story..... :spin: Just like you do over and over!
The college is going to pay BIG for their vile conduct.

Common Sense 1 said:

Try as you like to spin the story..... :spin: Just like you do over and over!
The college is going to pay BIG for their vile conduct.

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I have a fan.

I am glad the baker’s received damages. Too many people are being hurt by false accusations of racism.

Thanks so much to the OP for this positive news. Nice way to end the weekend.

Of course, there are many similar cases of businesses being unjustly accused, but those cases do not turn out so well. Quite often, the misbehaving individuals are paraded around as the "victims."

Nice to see that at least occasionally good guys still do win.

I hope all the good people in that town patronize that bakery to show their support.

ecofarm said:

A simple defamation case. And racists try to pretend false reports are the same as racism. Where's the defamation and disenfranchisement case for black people?

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The Voting Rights Act of 1964.

Crystal said:

I am glad the baker’s received damages. Too many people are being hurt by false accusations of racism.

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So are you for reparations for the victims of racism?

Stupid administrators should be fired for choices.

trouble13 said:

I have no sympathy for the college but the article fails to explain what the school did that was considered showing a bias.

I can not celebrate nor criticize the decission without more to go on.

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Precisely.

ecofarm said:

A simple defamation case. And racists try to pretend false reports are the same as racism. Where's the defamation and disenfranchisement case for black people?

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Against the three young men. What racists; what false reports? Indeed - WHAT are you talking about??

trouble13 said:

Ok i read up on this a bit more and understand the verdict now.

The college did indeed get involved by posting an offical news letter stating their position.

Here is a link to it

Gibson's Bakery v. Oberlin College Closing Argument: "When a powerful institution says you are racist, you are doomed"

They wanted to earn their sjw points and weighed in when they should of stayed out of it. Its sn interesting predicament for colleges.

If they dont take a stand the students attack them. If they do take the type of stand the students demand, they get hit with lawsuits.

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Thank you for posting this.

The jury absolutely got it wrong.

Horribly wrong.

3leftsdoo said:

Against the three young men. What racists; what false reports? Indeed - WHAT are you talking about??

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I'll spell it out.


1. False report. Handled quickly to the tune of $11m +. Defamation and disenfranchisement case settled. Done. Justice complete.

2. Racism. Not handled yet. Defamation and disenfranchisement case on behalf of black people unsettled.


1. does not equal 2.

False reports do not equal racism.

ecofarm said:

I'll spell it out.


1. False report. Handled quickly to the tune of $11m +. Defamation and disenfranchisement case settled. Done. Justice complete.

2. Racism. Not handled yet. Defamation and disenfranchisement case on behalf of black people unsettled.


1. does not equal 2.

False reports do not equal racism.

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I appreciate the clarification, but I think you're confused on some things...

Anyway, HORRIBLE verdict - one hopes it can be rectified somewhat on appeal.

And yes, reparations are absolutely in order, as is surcease from the generally unjustified gaze of law enforcement upon communities of color.

3leftsdoo said:

Thank you for posting this.

The jury absolutely got it wrong.

Horribly wrong.

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I would say what the school did was questionable but i would not say the jury got it horribly wrong.

The school implied some inflammatory things that the jury felt that they were culpable for. Whats wrong with that?

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trouble13 said:

I would say what the school did was questionable but i would not say the jury got it horribly wrong.

The school implied some inflammatory things that the jury felt that they were culpable for. Whats wrong with that?

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Well, as someone has said, the college was between a rock and a hard place.

Sleazy lawyer/s + greedy plaintiffs + gullible/ignorant jury = Ridiculous verdict

Also, Raimondo will likely lose her job because she trusted that people weren't as ignorant, greedy and vicious as it turns out we are.

As one of the sleazy lawyers pointed out, a letter of some kind from Raimondo would have gone a long way toward avoiding this mess.

The Student Senate does not = The college

Horrible verdict, and potentially chilling to free speech on campus.

Everybody loses except for the sleazy lawyers and the sleazy bakery that agreed to allow them to attack the college & its deep pockets.

Fingers crossed that the appeal can minimize some of the damage...

Crystal said:

I am glad the baker’s received damages. Too many people are being hurt by false accusations of racism.

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There will be a hearing for the punitive damages which could double the money awarded to date! They deserve it!!

3leftsdoo said:

Well, as someone has said, the college was between a rock and a hard place.

Sleazy lawyer/s + greedy plaintiffs + gullible/ignorant jury = Ridiculous verdict

Also, Raimondo will likely lose her job because she trusted that people weren't as ignorant, greedy and vicious as it turns out we are.

As one of the sleazy lawyers pointed out, a letter of some kind from Raimondo would have gone a long way toward avoiding this mess.

The Student Senate does not = The college

Horrible verdict, and potentially chilling to free speech on campus.

Everybody loses except for the sleazy lawyers and the sleazy bakery that agreed to allow them to attack the college & its deep pockets.

Fingers crossed that the appeal can minimize some of the damage...

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Perhaps this school can now teach it’s students that it’s not nice to try and ruin someone with false accusations of racism.

Crystal said:

Perhaps this school can now teach it’s students that it’s not nice to try and ruin someone with false accusations of racism.

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Well, free speech rights and issues around defamation could certainly be reviewed with the Student Senate...

trouble13 said:

Ok i read up on this a bit more and understand the verdict now.

The college did indeed get involved by posting an offical news letter stating their position.

Here is a link to it

Gibson's Bakery v. Oberlin College Closing Argument: "When a powerful institution says you are racist, you are doomed"

They wanted to earn their sjw points and weighed in when they should of stayed out of it. Its sn interesting predicament for colleges.

If they dont take a stand the students attack them. If they do take the type of stand the students demand, they get hit with lawsuits.

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Its a crazy idea, but.... what if Colleges took the position that students were there to learn wisdom from the college, instead having sufficiently superior wisdom to the college that they should control it?

3leftsdoo said:

Well, as someone has said, the college was between a rock and a hard place.

Sleazy lawyer/s + greedy plaintiffs + gullible/ignorant jury = Ridiculous verdict

Also, Raimondo will likely lose her job because she trusted that people weren't as ignorant, greedy and vicious as it turns out we are.

As one of the sleazy lawyers pointed out, a letter of some kind from Raimondo would have gone a long way toward avoiding this mess.

The Student Senate does not = The college

Horrible verdict, and potentially chilling to free speech on campus.

Everybody loses except for the sleazy lawyers and the sleazy bakery that agreed to allow them to attack the college & its deep pockets.

Fingers crossed that the appeal can minimize some of the damage...

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Colleges seem to think they can have it both ways. They think they have the right to kill free speech they don't like and justify doing it by clsiming its a safety issue but then when its speech they agree with they think they can claim that its a free speech issue and their hands are tied.

Either schools need to start allowing all forms of speech on their campus or they need to take responsibility for policing what they do and do not allow.

You claim the people suing have a sleazy intent for doing so and maybe they do. I dont have enough information to determine that. It could also be that the people being sued were the sleazy ones. I cant determine that either. Just out of curiousity did you even entertain the possibility that the people trying to make it a race issue were being sleazy?

In either case, what it boils down to is the question of if the university has a legal obligation to make a good faith effort to stop its students and faculity from inciting violence.

What i would argue is that the question can be answered fairly either way but whichever way it is answered it must be applied consistently.

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cpwill said:

Its a crazy idea, but.... what if Colleges took the position that students were there to learn wisdom from the college, instead having sufficiently superior wisdom to the college that they should control it?

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Thats just crazy talk

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