MANATEE COUNTY — A Manatee County Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by former Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, siding with defendants in the civil suit, Take Back Manatee PAC and its chair, Betsy Benac, under Florida’s Anti-SLAPP law.
Van Ostenbridge brought the case against Benac and the PAC in November 2024 following Van Ostenbridge’s failed bid for reelection. The former District 3 commissioner lost the election after changing county district seats to run against incumbent Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, who represents an at-large seat.
Van Ostenbridge filed the suit alleging that the Take Back Manatee PAC defamed his character by sending political mailers containing information about the former commissioner and his record as a public official.
The lawsuit has been pending for nearly a year and a half.
In an order issued on April 17, the court adopted a magistrate’s earlier recommendation for dismissal, dismissing the case against Benac and Take Back Manatee with prejudice—meaning a case cannot be brought on the same claim again.
After reviewing the record, Manatee County Circuit Court Judge Charles Sniffen found no error in the magistrate’s order and recommendation and agreed with the magistrate’s finding that the mailer counted as protected political speech under Florida’s Anti-SLAPP statute and that the plaintiff’s objections failed to meet the required legal burden.
The plaintiff, Van Ostenbridge, has 30-days from the date of the court’s order to file an appeal. Neither party's attorney responded to a request for comment.
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GLEN GADFLY GIBELLINA
KVO was a disgrace as an Elected official. Sore loser and the courts saw right through his frivolous lawsuit.
Time for a rematch with the blue puppet ha ha
Good riddance
Thursday, April 23 Report this
lib224
KVO, dumber than a rock.
Friday, April 24 Report this
SarahR
Dumber than a planter of bougainvillea…
Friday, April 24 Report this
The Gadfly
Typical of any vertically challenged male KVO loves tall trees yet hates short plants, just ask the poor bougainvillea. So much so that he chose to waste your tax dollars on those expensive tall palm trees to adorn the road he drives through every day. Sadly the wasteful spending extends past his inglorious reign. Those trees get special watering regimen that involves almost daily traffic congestion. You know those huge county trucks that clog the roadway.
You can thank KVO for such a well thought out community beautification scheme. Say I wonder if those KVO trees are exempt from the drought restrictions? You should ask Charlie Bishop.
Oh thanks to the judge for reminding KVO we don’t give a F about his hurt (diminutive) feelings.
Friday, April 24 Report this
Debann
Thank you judge...Too bad district 3 produces lousy Commissioners...Including the one that is chair now...District 3 deserves better..
Friday, April 24 Report this