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Matt Groopie Legal Fund

Update: New developments in this story.

The independent Integrity Commissioners report that was fought so hard for an investigation to be launched by the town has come back deeming Councillor Karen Cilevitz guilty of violating section 7.0 of the Town of Richmond Hills code of conduct for bullying and intimidation.

IC Report - November 13th 2018
https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=19621

On December 17th 2018 the councillor received her reprimand in a public council meeting. 8 delegates passionately spoke about the integrity commissioners findings and how beloved Matt and Steffi are to the Richmond Hill musical arts community as well as the appalling nature in which the councillor has conducted herself thus far.

*delegations start at 35 min and proceeds to a unanimous decision to 1:50.

IC Report Council Meeting - December 17th 2018
https://eservices.richmondhill.ca/councilMeetingVideo/council/Dec-17-2018-COUNCIL.html

After hearing the delegates and understanding the finding of the IC report Regional Councillor proposed a motion to reprimand Re-Elected Councillor Karen Cilevitz of 90 consecutive days remuneration and for those funds to be given to Steffi Goodfield (the complainant) in the form of a grant to be used in her constant efforts to enrich residents with live music in Richmond Hill.
The vote was unanimous.

CBC news article on reprimand.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/karen-cilevitz-investigation-1.4956247

This being said. This shamed Town Councillor cannot and will not accept accountability.
She is still proceeding with this malicious lawsuit against Matt Bergman. She even went as far as released an official statement blaming others discrediting the unanimous vote in Council by claiming political influences.

Your continued and over whelming support is what has been able to give the courage and strength to continue this battle against a person who does not understand the basic teachings of humanity.

Keep sharing posting talking and please donate!

“Don’t let them tell you you can’t talk” - Matt Groopie Bergman.

♥️

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4685963 http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/tag/ward-5/  


In June 2018 a $500 000 lawsuit was launched against Matt “Groopie” Bergman by a city councillor for exposing her harassment, bullying and intimidation toward him, local business' and local Richmond Hill jam host and booker Steffi Goodfield who is battling stage 4 breast cancer.
They received threats, intimidation, bullying and harrasement in the form of phone messages, emails and Facebook messages.


They tried to have this issue dealt with through the town, submitting a complaint on the matter which was refused to be investigated, as well as by approaching the mayor and council who at the time didn't want to step in and do anything about the situation. After they were denied, they went to the media as they felt it was their only option.


Matt was then given a choice - sign an apology and retraction for exposing the councillor or suffer the consequences. The consequence was this egregious lawsuit designed to shut him up. Instead of signing the apology, he decided to fight for himself, Steffi and the community at large.

He needs your help to fight this injustice and this blatent infringement on Matt’s freedom of speech and human rights. Public officials should be held accountable for their actions and shouldn't be able to try to silence critics of them. Furthermore, Matt felt it was important to stand up for his good friend, a vulnerable member of his community who didn't have the energy to fight for herself.


Matt Groopie is a musician who works hard and gives a lot of time and money to charity and good causes as well as a community volunteer who encourage and tries to teach people how to play music through open jams. He has helped thousands of local artists through his work at Cherry Colas and many other venues in Toronto, Richmond Hill and beyond.


He needs help paying for his legal fees in order to stand up to this blatant disregard for human decency and with your help, he can correct this incorrect situation.
Please give generously. We appreciate any and all support.  


Don’t Let Them Tell You You’re Not Allowed To Talk”- Matt “Groopie” Bergman


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Donations 

  • Belinda C
    • $150 
    • 2 yrs
  • Griffin Hanratty
    • $25 
    • 2 yrs
  • Jillian Zuckerman
    • $100 
    • 3 yrs
  • Doug Halls
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
  • Darren Gendron
    • $15 
    • 3 yrs
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Organizer

Matt Bergman
Organizer
Thornhill, ON

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