Attorney’s $100M defamation suit against "vexatious" litigant to continue

In March, Cross Roads resident Jason Lee Van Dyke filed suit against Thomas Christopher Retzlaff, seeking $100 million in damages.

The suit was removed to federal court in April.

Van Dyke claims Retzlaff wrongfully labeled him a drug addict and a white nationalist.

On April 10, Retzlaff filed his first motion to dismiss, pursuant to the Texas Citizens Participation Act – an anti-SLAPP statute designed to encourage and safeguard the constitutional rights of persons to speak freely.

On July 24, a federal judge denied Retzlaff’s motion to dismiss, court records show.

Van Dyke asserts Retzlaff, who is reportedly a convicted felon and a “vexatious litigant,” falsely claimed that the former threatened his life and those of his family after he lost his job with the Victoria County District Attorney’s Office.

The suit asserts that Retzlaff “controls a Web site that has been responsible for tortious conduct against Van Dyke.”

Known as “BV Files,” the site purportedly contained statements alleging the plaintiff has a criminal record for abusing women and has committed professional misconduct against Retzlaff.

Retzlaff is additionally accused of doxing the address of Van Dyke’s now-former employer, Karlseng, LeBlanc & Rich, as well as emailing its principals with disparaging remarks about the plaintiff.