Federal Judge Adopts Magistrate Judge’s Recommendation That Neo-Nazi Must Pay More Than $14M to Jewish Woman Targeted in Harassment Campaign

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen today adopted a federal magistrate judge’s recommendation that Andrew Anglin, publisher of a major neo-Nazi website, must pay more than $14 million in damages to Tanya Gersh, the Whitefish, Montana, woman who received a relentless barrage of antisemitic threats and messages from Anglin and his followers.

Christensen’s ruling adopts a recommendation last month from Federal Magistrate Judge Jeremiah Lynch, which means that Anglin must now pay the punitive and actual damages that Lynch recommended.

“By adopting Judge Lynch’s recommendation, Judge Christensen today made clear that this type of conduct will not be tolerated and that those who engage in it will have to pay up,” said David Dinielli, deputy legal director of the SPLC. “We will go to the ends of the earth to collect the judgment on behalf of our client, Tanya Gersh, whether it’s cash, assets or intellectual property.”

Gersh said the ruling is a victory against hatred.

“This win isn’t just for me, my family and my community; this is a win for everyone who has been harassed, terrorized and bullied,” Gersh said. “With the strong support of my family, the Whitefish community, the people of Montana and the Jewish community around the world, I had the strength to stand up and fight against Andrew Anglin and I defeated him and his hatred. Even though I don’t like to admit that what he did broke a part of me, I am now a stronger person for it. Don’t be afraid to take a stand against hatred and don’t let hateful people define who you are. We will not let them win.”

In the order, Christensen stated, “Having reviewed the Findings and Recommendation (Doc. 211), the Court finds no clear error. Default judgment is an appropriate sanction for Anglin' s absolute refusal to defend.”

To learn more about this case, visit: https://www.splcenter.org/seeking-justice/case-docket/tanya-gersh-v-andrew-anglin 

To read more about the recommendation made by Judge Lynch, you will find the press release from July 15 here: https://www.splcenter.org/presscenter/federal-court-rules-neo-nazi-should-pay-more-14-million-damages-jewish-woman-targeted.