Dragon Ball Super: Broly voice actor Vic Mignogna has filed a lawsuit against Funimation, Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial, and Ronald Toye.
Mignogna is suing them for defamation, tortious interference with existing contracts, tortious interference with prospective business relations, civil conspiracy, and vicarious liability. The suit was filed in Tarrant County, Texas on April 18th.
Mignogna’s lawyer Ty Beard claims in the lawsuit that the defendants defamed Mignogna and “knew these statements were false or made them with negligent disregard for their truthfulness.”
The suit claims that the defendants’ “conduct was willful, fraudulent, malicious, and in wanton disregard for Vic.”
He points to a number of statements made by Ronald Toye, Monica Rial, and Jamie Marchi on Twitter. Those statements include accusations that Vic Mignogna engaged in “harassment or threatening behavior.”
The suit claims that “Ronald (a Funimation agent or employee) has tweeted more than 80 times that Vic sexually assaulted or assaulted Monica, more than 10 times that Vic sexually assaulted or assaulted three of his “very close friends,” more than 10 times that Vic has been accused of hundreds and possibly thousands of assaults, and at least 17 times that Vic is a “predator.” It also points to a number of tweets made by Rial and Marchi.
The Tortious Interference with Existing Contracts part of the lawsuit claims the Defendants “willfully and intentionally interfered with these contracts prxomiately causing cancellation, termination, even breach, of these contracts by the convention producers thereby causing Vic actual and consequential damages.” The suit points to a number of conventions canceling Vic’s appearances including Anime NYC, Ancient City Con, and others.
The Tortious Intereference with Prospective Business Relations claims, “There was reasonable probability that Vic would have entered into agreements with other production companies and conventions; however, the Defendants’ unlawful actions prevented these relationships from occurring.”
The Civil Conspiracy claims “The Defendants conspired and acted in concert to defame Vic, interfere with his existing contracts, and interfere with his prospective business relations, and each knowingly assisted an participated in the other’s actions.”
The Vicarious Liability claim notes, “At all times relevant, Jamie, Monica, or Ronald was Funimation’s employee and acting in the course and scope of her or his employment in the conduct alleged above or, alternatively, Jamie, Monica or Ronald was Funimation’s agree with actual or apparent authority to act on behalf of Funimation…or Funimation ratified her or his actions.” It notes, “Funimation is liable for the conduct of Jamie, Monica or Ronald.”
Mignogna is seeking $1,000,000 in monetary relief. However, it also notes that Vic is entitled to “punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial.” The suit adds that Vic “have judgment against the Defendants for actual, consequential and punitive damages according to the claims pled above and in amounts to be determined on final hearing, pre- and post-judgment interest at the highest rate permitted by law, and costs of court.”
The lawsuit does note that Mignogna was informed by Sony executive Tammi Denbow that they were investigating him in late January of 2019. They specifically indicate it was about a week after the premiere of Dragon Ball Super: Broly on January 16th. Sony is the majority owner in Funimation. Denbow and another Sony executive informed Mignogna on January 29th that his employment at Funimation had been terminated.
Nick Rekieta discussed the lawsuit with Mignogna’s lawyer Ty Beard, where he noted that the Defendants will have to respond the Monday following 20 days after the day they were served.
The lawsuit comes after months of sexual misconduct allegations against Mignogna from both Monica Rial and Jamie Marchi. He has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Following the accusations, Funimation indicated they had fired Mignogna. He would also be removed from WarnerMedia’s Rooster Teeth, where he voiced Qrow on RWBY. A number of conventions also cancelled their invitations to Mignogna.
What do you make of Mignogna’s lawsuit against Funimation, Monica Rial, Jamie Marchi, and Ron Toye?