April 15, 2025
On February 7, 2023, the Open Stories Foundation and John Dehlin filed a defamation lawsuit against a former employee for making knowingly false and defamatory accusations against them. On May 15, 2024, Judge Robert Faust ruled in favor of the Open Stories Foundation and John Dehlin, concluding that the defendant “repeatedly, willfully violated the orders of this Court and refused to accept the authority of the Court ‘in an attempt to hide, destroy, or conceal evidence relevant to this case and to frustrate the discovery process, to the detriment’ of Plaintiffs.” The ruling concluded that “terminating sanctions and an award of attorneys’ fees are warranted.” The court reasoned that “[t]erminating sanctions are especially appropriate where a party has attempted to “improperly influence the court’s decision on the merits of the case’ through destruction of evidence, ‘obstruction of justice,’ or other conduct that ‘itself tends to demonstrate bad faith or lack of merit.’”
Following the ruling, Judge Faust issued a Permanent Injunction against the defendant, prohibiting her from repeating the defamatory statements with sanctions for violating the order including possible incarceration.
Open Stories Foundation and John Dehlin have been able to recover some of the damages it incurred as a result of the defendant’s conduct, but they have been unable to recover the full amount of their damages because the defendant filed for bankruptcy.
We are grateful for the ruling and remain committed to the mission of Mormon Stories Podcast and the Open Stories Foundation. Please refrain from naming or disparaging the defendant. We feel satisfied that justice has been adequately served.
Open Stories Foundation Board
Clint Martin
Jen Tomchak
John Dehlin
