Former Michigan self-loathing gay man assistant attorney general Andrew Shirvell, who was fired for relentlessly stalking and harassing gay University of Michigan student Chris Armstrong, was ordered by a federal jury yesterday to pay $4.5 million in damages.
In 2010, Shirvell started a blog called “Chris Armstrong Watch” that was devoted exclusively to tormenting Armstrong, who was the University of Michigan student body president. In a flurry of blog entries, Shirvell called Armstrong “Satan’s representative,” a “racist,” a “privileged pervert,” and a “liar,” accused him of promoting some kind of “radical homosexual agenda,” published a photograph of Armstrong on which the attorney had superimposed a swastika on a rainbow flag, and spread false allegations of binge drinking and improper conduct on school grounds. And Shirvell’s harassment wasn’t exclusively confined to the realm of cyberspace — several times, he showed up outside Armstrong’s home, once at 1:30am.
Needless to say, Armstrong sued. His attorneys reached out to Shirvell, saying that Armstrong was willing to drop all charges against his former stalker if he simply apologized. But Shirvell refused, so the case went to court, and a jury ruled in Armstrong’s favor on all counts, awarding him $4.5 million.
Shirvell is probably kicking himself now for not taking the offer when he had the chance. Serves him right. Ain’t karma grand?
Something tells me this isn’t the first time Andrew Shirvell has had to pay a gay man.
It shows those that have power are not above the law.i hope he has to pay everylast penny.listen up haters because where not like you does not give you the right to demean us.
What a disturbed individual. I hope he seeks help. But I doubt he can afford it now.
He won’t even have anything left to hire a rentboy.
Shirvell is one sick cookie. Now keep Shirvell away from Armstrong.
I also would like to see this man physically beaten to a pulp, aka: like in a schoolyard brawl.
You would imagine that a former Assistant Attorney General would have a more realistic assessment of his chances of winning a court case? Most expensive refusal to apologise in history?
He was motivated by his catholic religion. He’s a graduate of Ava Maria law school
Sharon, I assume it’s the Ava Maria law school in Florida founded by Thomas S. Monaghan who also founded Domino’s Pizza! He’s another Dan Cathy.
Richard, you are correct. It’s the very same school. Ave Maria’s brand of Catholicism is particularly unhinged.
A bit of creative bookkeeping and Shirvell will be able to show that he has limited funds available. He’ll convince the court he is under financial stress and probably finish up paying off the debt at the rate of ten dollars per month. Armstrong will never get $4.5 million; he’ll be lucky to get $4.5 thousand.
I am normally extremely sceptical of labelling homophobes as ‘self-hating gays’ as it is too glib and too easy, however in this instance my reaction on seeing this gentleman interviewed is to go ‘WOW’ he REALLY does come across as a person suffering that particular affliction.
If it were not for the fact that he has harmed another I would be inclined to say he is more to be pitied than reviled.
This is a terrible case of cyber-bullying against a youth. This horrible bully, an “adult” man who victimized a young boy, has to pay for his misconduct. Homophobia is a crime.
See the account of this incident at glbtq.com in a blog by Claude Summers. He points out that Armstrong has announced that he intends to donate the award to the scholarship fund that he and his parents have established to enable students who were bullied in high school attend the Universityof Michigan. Armstrong is a very classy young man.
Indeed he is, Jay. I think that is a wonderful use for the award. I hope Shirvell has to pay the award like it or not and that many young people who have been bullied can now get a great education. A definite win-win.
[...] Bill“Former Michigan Attorney Ordered to Pay $4.5M in Damages for Harassing Gay Student”John M. Becker, Truth Wins Out, August 17, [...]