David Marvin, the head coach of the Warroad girls hockey team, has filed a civil defamation lawsuit against six individuals, claiming they made false statements about him and his coaching staff. The lawsuit was filed in Roseau County District Court on November 13.
The defendants named in the lawsuit are Shana Lanctot, Matt Lanctot, Jeff Johnson, Patti Johnson, Coreen Lindquist, and Kirstin Coaeutte Johnson. All six defendants are parents of either current or former Warroad girls hockey team players.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants published an open letter on October 30 that falsely claimed Marvin and other members of his coaching staff “engaged in inappropriate and criminal conduct toward current and former members of the Warroad Girls Hockey team.” The letter was published on Shana Lanctot’s Facebook page and was also the subject of an on-air reading during Shana Lanctot’s appearance on a Grand Forks-based podcast.
Marvin’s lawsuit also claims that Shana Lanctot continued to publish defamatory statements about him on social media following the podcast. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Coaeutte Johnson republished defamatory statements from the October 30 letter on social media and also posted false statements about Marvin.
Marvin is seeking monetary damages for the statements made by the defendants. He is also asking for a jury trial and an injunction to prevent the defendants from making further defamatory statements about him.
The Warroad school district has released a statement expressing support for Marvin and his coaching staff.
The concerns raised by some individuals regarding the Warroad Girls Hockey program have already been addressed. We recognize that some may not be satisfied, but ISD #690 is looking forward and prepared for a positive and exciting season as we support all our Warriors!
— Warroad Schools (@WarroadS) November 3, 2023
Marvin is represented by attorney David M. Wilk.
Key Points:
- David Marvin, the head coach of the Warroad girls hockey team, has filed a civil defamation lawsuit against six individuals.
- The defendants are accused of making false statements about Marvin and his coaching staff.
- Marvin is seeking monetary damages and an injunction.
- The Warroad school district has expressed support for Marvin and his coaching staff.
