On or about May 9, 2005, Brent Hanson, an individual known primarily for public comments against Lasik after having a poor outcome, published a letter purportedly from "ACE Judgment Recovery Service" on his website with the headline:
"Glenn Hagele / CRSQA / USAEYES Pursued by Collection Agency"
Since that time Brent Hanson has reiterated this lie and provided an Internet link to various websites he controls where he republished the "ACE" letter.
In February 2006 Glenn Hagele filed a defamation suit against Brent Hanson in California Superior Court, Sacramento, due to Brent Hanson's actions surrounding the "ACE" letter.
Facts about this letter.
- The subject line is false. Glenn Hagele, founder and
Executive Director of the Council for Refractive
Surgery Quality Assurance is not being pursued by
any collection agency.
- The content of the letter is inaccurate. In 2003 Mr.
Hanson made a claim of a loss of $2,850, alleging
libel by Mr. Hagele. The case was dismissed upon Mr.
Hagele's first motion at a hearing that Mr. Hanson
did not even attend.
- An order for default of the claim brought by Brent
Hanson against Glenn Hagele was entered on March
21st, 2003 by Judge James T Ryan of the Circuit
Court of Cook County Illinois, Third Municipal
District, Case number 03-M3-000136
- No judgment against Mr. Hagele exists, Brent
Hanson's claim was dismissed by the court.
- The collection agency from which the letter
supposedly originated does not exist.
- The telephone number listed in the letter is not
connected.
- The post office box address listed in the letter is
invalid.
- The company is not registered with appropriate
licensing agencies.
- The person purported to have signed the letter is
not registered as a collection agent.
- An Illinois
investigation agency has been unable to find any
evidence that "ACE Judgment Recovery Service" does
or has ever existed.
Whether or not Mr. Hanson or an accomplice manufactured the "ACE" letter is open to speculation.
The content of the letter published by Brent Hanson is inaccurate, such inaccuracies are know to Mr. Hanson yet he publishes this letter on his website as if it has validity. It appears that the sole purpose of publication of this letter by Mr. Hanson is in an attempt to diminish the reputation of Glenn Hagele and the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance which he represents.
The suit has been amended to included other acts by Brent Hanson against Glenn Hagele, including invasion of privacy, in part, because Brent Hanson published Glenn Hagele's personal identity including name, address, date of birth, California driver's license number, and Social Security number on his websites.
Previously, Brent Hanson was successfully sued for defamation by William Boothe, MD of Dallas Texas. Hanson continued to defame Dr. Boothe, was found in contempt of court, fined and Brent Hanson was sentenced to jail 540 days in jail.
