FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
The Landlord's Complaint
Ms. Klask, the plaintiff, brought a case against her former tenants, Mr. Reed and Mr. Turner.
She claimed they caused damage to her property.
Ms. Klask also accused Mr. Reed of posting obscene content about her online.
She sought $5,000 for damages and other losses.
This amount included the security deposit she retained.
Tenant History and Lease Status
Mr. Reed moved into Ms. Klask's property in August 2013.
Mr. Turner joined him in August 2014.
Initially, there was a written lease.
However, Mr. Reed stated that they never formally signed a new lease.
He claimed the arrangement rolled over to a month-to-month tenancy.
Ms. Klask did not dispute the month-to-month status.
Notice to Vacate
In January 2017, Ms. Klask informed her tenants she would not renew the lease.
She gave them six months' notice to vacate the property.
Mr. Reed claimed he did not remember this January notice.
He also stated that Ms. Klask had made similar statements in previous years.
According to Mr. Reed, these earlier threats to not renew never materialized.
On April 30, 2017, Ms. Klask issued a 30-day notice to vacate.
She sent this notice via text message to the tenant group.
Mr. Reed admitted he had Ms. Klask blocked on his phone.
Judge Judy called him a "moron" for blocking his landlord.
The 30-day notice meant they should move out by June 1st.
Rent Payments and Departure
The last rent payment made by the tenants was on April 27, 2017.
This payment covered the rent for May.
On April 30th, six tenants were living in the house.
By May 30th, only three tenants remained.
Mr. Old Rich, another tenant, moved out on May 31st.
Mr. Reed and Mr. Turner paid June's rent on either June 9th or 10th.
They moved out of the property on June 11th.
Mr. Reed stated they agreed with Ms. Klask to pay only for the days they occupied the property in June.
The Online Posts Begin
After receiving the 30-day notice on April 30th, Mr. Reed began posting obscene things online.
These posts were about Ms. Klask.
He used platforms like Craigslist and other internet sites.
Ms. Klask testified that a "revenge app" started posting her address online in January 2017.
She continued to receive a trickle of obscene posts for six weeks after Mr. Reed moved out.
Mr. Reed claimed he had removed the posts.
Mr. Turner's Involvement
Judge Judy questioned Mr. Turner about his knowledge of the online posts.
Mr. Turner stated he was not involved in posting the obscene content.
He claimed he had no clue that Mr. Reed was doing it.
Mr. Turner said Mr. Reed never told him about the posts.
He described Mr. Reed as keeping this to himself.
Judge Judy asked if Mr. Reed was a "vicious, stupid person."
Mr. Turner replied, "No."
Mr. Reed's Justification
Mr. Reed admitted to posting the obscene content.
He claimed his actions were provoked by Ms. Klask.
Mr. Reed stated he had evidence of offensive texts from Ms. Klask.
He mentioned one text regarding a Nigerian immigrant that he found "extremely offensive."
He attempted to show these texts to Judge Judy.
Judge Judy repeatedly stated, "I don't care."
She was not interested in his justification for the online posts.
Judge Judy's Strong Reaction
Judge Judy expressed outrage at Mr. Reed's actions.
She condemned the misuse of the internet for "revenge, for scurrilous behavior, for bullying."
She emphasized that such behavior was unacceptable.
Judge Judy noted that Ms. Klask was following proper procedures by giving notice.
She stated she did not need to hear about other damages when the tenant's actions were so egregious.
Judge Judy asked Mr. Reed his age.
He replied he had just turned 30.
She asked if he was "old enough to know better."
Mr. Reed agreed.
Witness Testimony on Notice
Mr. Old Rich, a former tenant, was called as a witness.
He confirmed he moved out on May 31st.
He stated he was getting married.
Judge Judy asked Mr. Old Rich when he was told the plaintiff wanted to move back into her house.
He said he did not remember the exact date.
However, he stated it was not in January.
He recalled it was a month or two before moving out.
The Impact of the Posts
Judge Judy presented a photograph to Mr. Old Rich.
She asked him to imagine if his 10-year-old sister received such a picture on her phone.
She asked what he would do to a 30-year-old man who sent it.
Mr. Old Rich responded that he would "make sure that he didn't send that to anyone else."
Judge Judy commended his answer.
Damages and Security Deposit
Ms. Klask intended to show pictures of damages to the court.
She claimed Mr. Reed and Mr. Turner trashed her home.
Ms. Klask also stated she kept the security deposit.
Mr. Reed confirmed she kept their security deposit.
Ms. Klask's total claim was for $5,000.
The Verdict
Judge Judy dismissed the claim against Mr. Turner.
She found no evidence of his involvement in the online harassment.
Judge Judy awarded Ms. Klask $5,000 on her claim against Mr. Reed.
She stated that Mr. Reed's actions were the primary focus.
Outcome and Regret
Ms. Klask expressed her delight with the ruling.
She stated that Judge Judy "made it very easy."
Mr. Reed expressed regret for his actions.
He said, "I regret posting things on Craigslist."
He described his behavior as "awful."
Mr. Reed wished he could "take it all back away."
He concluded that if you have an aggressive tenant, it is better to request they leave.