My name is Skylar Van Ekelenburg, and I am creating this fundraiser on behalf of my friend and former coworker, John Tani. John is a father, a veteran, and a former fire service professional who has spent the last several years trying to survive the financial and personal devastation caused by divorce, litigation, and repeated legal accusations.

John lost his career, his home, his savings, and much of the life he had built.

In Case No. 221100478, Taylorsville Justice Court, John was found not guilty by a jury on November 3, 2022. But as often happens, a not-guilty verdict does not restore what has already been taken. The damage had already been done financially, professionally, and personally.

John is now facing continued legal action from his ex-wife and needs qualified legal representation to defend himself against ongoing accusations and protect himself in court. This fundraiser is not about vengeance, and it is not about drama. It is about survival, truth, and having the ability to respond lawfully and effectively to ongoing litigation in a system that is brutally expensive to navigate.

Just as important, this is also about the well-being of his children. John loves them deeply. His goal is not to exploit them as a talking point, but to do what he can, through proper legal channels, to help ensure they are safe while also protecting himself from further false claims and legal harm.

Every dollar raised will go toward attorney fees, court costs, filings, and related legal expenses. Experienced Utah family-law representation in a case like this can cost tens of thousands of dollars. A $50,000 goal reflects attorney fees, filings, and the real cost of defending yourself through prolonged litigation.

If you are able to contribute, thank you. If not, sharing this page would mean a great deal.

Being found not guilty did not restore John’s career, finances, peace, or reputation. The criminal case ended, but the damage did not. He now needs help securing the legal representation required to defend himself, protect his future, and continue doing what he can through lawful channels to safeguard his children.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for standing with John.

Here is some videos explaining the situation:

Part 1

Part 2

Additional Parts Coming Soon...