Title: Anti-Government Activist, Ammon Bundy, Ordered to Pay $26 Million in Malpractice Case
In a recent twist of events, prominent anti-government activist Ammon Bundy has been instructed by a jury to pay a staggering sum of $26 million in a malpractice case. The plaintiff had accused a Boise hospital, as well as its CEO, doctor, and nurse practitioner, of negligence.
The roots of this case can be traced back to Bundy’s public protests outside the hospital premises regarding the treatment of a child. The child, described by police as suffering from severe malnourishment, was placed in protective custody and attended to at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center. Promptly, Bundy raised allegations of malpractice in the child’s medical care.
The jury’s decision was not solely centered on Bundy, as his friend Diego Rodriguez, along with his organization, Freedom Man, were also ordered to collectively pay $26.5 million. This landmark ruling aims to hold the defendants accountable for what the hospital claimed as “intimidation, harassment, and disinformation.”
The significant judgment against Bundy encompasses both compensatory and punitive damages, extending even to his unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign and the operations of his political organization, People’s Rights Network. Strikingly, both Bundy and Rodriguez chose not to participate in the court proceedings, leading to a default judgment against them.
Expressing his disagreement with the verdict, Bundy took to Twitter, labeling the result as a “mockery of justice.” Meanwhile, St. Luke’s highly commended the jury’s decision and highlighted its commitment to continue serving children suspected of abuse or neglect by directing any collected funds from the defendants to their program.
Ammon Bundy rose to national prominence in 2016 when he led an armed occupation of the federal Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. To the surprise of many, he was ultimately acquitted of all charges related to the incident. Last year, Bundy also made a foray into politics, running for governor of Idaho as an independent candidate. Although he garnered 17.2% of the vote, it was not enough to secure the position.
As this gripping legal battle comes to a close, the staggering financial repercussions imposed on Bundy and Rodriguez demonstrate the seriousness with which the court system dealt with their allegations against the hospital and its staff. The outcome of this case is likely to reverberate throughout the community and raise questions about the limits of activism within the legal framework.
