YouTuber Leroy Truth, whose real name is Leonard Filipowski, is in the middle of a heated legal fight with Union City Mayor Brian Stack.
Filipowski, who calls himself a “First Amendment auditor,” filed a lawsuit claiming he was wrongfully arrested and violated his civil rights.
Since his arrest at a city meeting in July 2024, this case has gained attention due to the political tensions it has brought to light.
Here’s a full breakdown of the latest updates, court decisions, and the upcoming deadlines in this complex case.
- YouTuber Leroy Truth (Leonard Filipowski) is suing Union City for wrongful arrest and claims his rights were violated after a run-in with Mayor Brian Stack.
- The court denied his request for temporary restrictions but will review criminal complaints against him and has delayed the decision on legal fees.
- The legal fight is linked to bigger political tensions between Union City and North Bergen, with important court dates set for 2025.
Court Rulings Deny Restraints but Allow Legal Fee Review
In a key ruling on August 16, 2024, Hudson County Superior Court Assignment Judge Jeffrey Jablonski decided not to grant Filipowski’s request for temporary restraints.
Filipowski had asked the court to temporarily stop Union City from acting against him while the case was ongoing, but the judge denied this request.
However, the judge allowed something important: a review of the criminal complaints against Filipowski.
Thus, the top judge of the Hudson County Municipal Courts will review the complaints and decide whether further action is warranted.
And this review will allow Filipowski to challenge the legal accusations against him.
Another part of the decision initially awarded Filipowski legal fees, meaning Union City would have to cover his court costs.
But on August 23, Judge Jablonski corrected an earlier mistake, saying that Filipowski wouldn’t get those fees yet.
Instead, the decision on whether he gets legal fees will be made later, after the main parts of the case are resolved.
This change came after Union City’s lawyer, Mauro Tucci, pointed out that the fees were not discussed during the original court hearing.
Court Deadlines and Upcoming Hearings Set for Early 2025
While the case progresses, the court has set several dates for both sides to gather evidence and prepare for the trial.
The case will proceed according to the following schedule:
- November 1, 2024: Both sides must finish gathering written information and documents.
- December 10, 2024: Depositions (where witnesses give sworn statements) must be completed.
- January 21, 2025: A full hearing is set to decide on the remaining legal issues.
Crucially, both sides will present their full arguments and evidence at this hearing.
Such deadlines are crucial to the legal process, ultimately leading to the final decision.
Of particular importance is the January 2025 hearing, which will cover the main legal and factual disputes in the case.
Political Tensions Fueling the Legal Battle
This legal fight isn’t only about Filipowski’s claims of wrongful arrest—it’s also tied to a much larger political battle in North Hudson, a region of New Jersey that includes Union City and North Bergen.
Mayor Brian Stack of Union City and Mayor Nick Sacco of North Bergen are long-time political rivals.
And Filipowski’s involvement in Union City has made this rivalry even more intense.
Stack has suggested that Sacco is behind Filipowski’s sudden interest in Union City.
He believes Filipowski’s actions are part of a coordinated effort to attack his administration.
Stack even claimed that he and his team have received death threats during this period of what he calls harassment.
Though Sacco and Filipowski deny any connection, the political tension between the two mayors is hard to ignore.
Stack’s legal team also argued in court that Filipowski’s actions were disruptive and dangerous, accusing him of running a campaign of online harassment against city officials.
Stack’s lawyers claim Filipowski is connected to Sacco’s allies, which makes this a reflection of the ongoing power struggle between the two political factions.
Political Struggles Impacting the Court Case
The political rivalry between Stack and Sacco is affecting this case in more ways than one.
As the two mayors continue their battle for political influence in North Hudson, Filipowski’s case is becoming part of the larger story.
This conflict is especially important in the upcoming 2025 elections, as Stack and Sacco are backing different candidates in key races.
For instance, Mayor Stack supports U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer, while Sacco is backing Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who is eyeing the governor’s seat.
This has intensified the political competition between the two, with Filipowski caught in the middle of it all.
The legal case may even impact the political scene in the 2025 Democratic primary, where candidates aligned with Stack and Sacco will face off in important local elections.
So, the outcome of Filipowski’s lawsuit could sway public opinion and influence these political battles.
