Bunny Buxom Legal Fund
Donation protected
Background:
I, Bunny Buxom, and Anja Keister are NYC based burlesque performers and producers, and Nelson Lugo is an NYC based magician. The three of us are currently being sued for defamation by Joseph Naftali (aka Joe the Shark, co-producer of Hotsy Totsy Burlesque in NYC). We’re being sued for defamation because, to quote the public claimant, “in early 2015, Mr. Naftali began hearing rumors that Ms. Buxom was accusing him of having “sexually assaulted” her.”
In addition to the stress being brought on by the lawsuit, Joseph Naftali also posted the link to the law suit paperwork publicly on his facebook page, therefore disclosing our legal names and boroughs we live in, putting us at risk for stalkers and invasion of our privacy. In an act of humiliation Nelson Lugo was served his summons at a show, and so was I (Bunny Buxom), seconds after stepping off stage and before I could get into the dressing room.
Why We Need Your Help:
Anja, Nelson, and I are burlesque performers and magicians. As freelance artists, our finances are not stable and can be inconsistent. Those of us with day jobs have had to take time off of work to meet with lawyers to find out if they can even take our case. I have already had to cancel a show I was producing because this situation has put me in a financial bind, which creates a domino effect on my performer income.
Since the three of us found out we’re being sued in early mid November, we’ve already accrued over $600 in just consultations with lawyers alone. Though we are trying to find pro bono lawyers, it is looking like we are unable to get the type of legal help we need without financial backing. We have found a law firm willing to possibly cover at least one of us, but they quoted me a $23,000 retainer for a lawyer to take the case, and that might be for only one of the three of us.
How We Would Use the Money:
All funds collected will be distributed among the three of us as needed to cover legal fees. As we still don't know what our needs will be, we are setting the goal at $30,000 but will make adjustments as our needs change and as lawyers are secured. After this is all said and done, any remaining money given for our legal fund will be donated to RAINN to help survivors of rape sand sexual assault.
Additionally...
Please note that because of the nature of this case, we are currently being silenced from being able to weigh in or discuss details about the case for our own safety. We appreciate the financial support but please keep any comments made in a positive nature to prevent anything that could used against us in court.
This experience is scary, frustrating, and traumatizing. We thank those who have already shown so much support for us and any willing to give to this fund to help our fight.
Sincerely,
Bunny, Anja, and Nelson
I, Bunny Buxom, and Anja Keister are NYC based burlesque performers and producers, and Nelson Lugo is an NYC based magician. The three of us are currently being sued for defamation by Joseph Naftali (aka Joe the Shark, co-producer of Hotsy Totsy Burlesque in NYC). We’re being sued for defamation because, to quote the public claimant, “in early 2015, Mr. Naftali began hearing rumors that Ms. Buxom was accusing him of having “sexually assaulted” her.”
In addition to the stress being brought on by the lawsuit, Joseph Naftali also posted the link to the law suit paperwork publicly on his facebook page, therefore disclosing our legal names and boroughs we live in, putting us at risk for stalkers and invasion of our privacy. In an act of humiliation Nelson Lugo was served his summons at a show, and so was I (Bunny Buxom), seconds after stepping off stage and before I could get into the dressing room.
Why We Need Your Help:
Anja, Nelson, and I are burlesque performers and magicians. As freelance artists, our finances are not stable and can be inconsistent. Those of us with day jobs have had to take time off of work to meet with lawyers to find out if they can even take our case. I have already had to cancel a show I was producing because this situation has put me in a financial bind, which creates a domino effect on my performer income.
Since the three of us found out we’re being sued in early mid November, we’ve already accrued over $600 in just consultations with lawyers alone. Though we are trying to find pro bono lawyers, it is looking like we are unable to get the type of legal help we need without financial backing. We have found a law firm willing to possibly cover at least one of us, but they quoted me a $23,000 retainer for a lawyer to take the case, and that might be for only one of the three of us.
How We Would Use the Money:
All funds collected will be distributed among the three of us as needed to cover legal fees. As we still don't know what our needs will be, we are setting the goal at $30,000 but will make adjustments as our needs change and as lawyers are secured. After this is all said and done, any remaining money given for our legal fund will be donated to RAINN to help survivors of rape sand sexual assault.
Additionally...
Please note that because of the nature of this case, we are currently being silenced from being able to weigh in or discuss details about the case for our own safety. We appreciate the financial support but please keep any comments made in a positive nature to prevent anything that could used against us in court.
This experience is scary, frustrating, and traumatizing. We thank those who have already shown so much support for us and any willing to give to this fund to help our fight.
Sincerely,
Bunny, Anja, and Nelson
Organizer
Bunnie Buxomm
Organizer
New York, NY
