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Leroy Truth Battles Systemic Obstacles as Federal and State Cases Against Senator Stack and Union City Hit Speedbump
Leroy Truth, the online investigative journalist, Leonard Filipowski, has faced some legal setbacks, as his federal and state lawsuits against State…
Leroy Truth, the online investigative journalist, Leonard Filipowski, has faced some legal setbacks, as his federal and state lawsuits against State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack continue to unfold amid controversy over evidence, deadlines, and law enforcement conduct.
In federal court, U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton dismissed Filipowski’s claims with prejudice. The suit, filed March 5, 2025, named Stack, Senator Paul Sarlo, former Governor Jim McGreevey, the cities of Union City and Jersey City, the New Jersey State Police, and dozens of unnamed defendants, citing First Amendment violations, retaliation, conspiracy, and other state-law claims. The incidents in question included Filipowski’s removal from a January 26th church event in Jersey City and a February 20th Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where he continued to allege corruption in Union City.
Judge Wigenton cited qualified immunity for the individual defendants: “Even if Plaintiff had alleged underlying constitutional violations, which he has not, the individual defendants would be entitled to qualified immunity … The individual-capacity claims are therefore independently dismissed with prejudice. Amendment cannot cure the legal bars.”
Controversial Law Enforcement Actions Caught on Video
Video evidence from the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing shows New Jersey State Troopers handling Filipowski’s camera and actively shutting off the device, preventing him from recording. Legal research indicates that courts have ruled such actions by law enforcement—intentionally turning off someone’s recording device—can constitute a violation of First Amendment rights.
Similarly, during the church incident in Jersey City, publicly accessible Jersey City, New Jersey bodycam video captures a New Jersey State Trooper, speaking with Jersey City police officers immediately before Filipowski’s removal. The trooper remains present throughout the entire event, indicating a coordinated law enforcement presence. Given that state troopers routinely secure venues prior to a governor’s appearance, the video raises questions about whether Filipowski, who is well-known both locally and at higher levels of state government, was specifically targeted prior to Governor Phil Murphy’s arrival.
Video Evidence and Discovery Disputes
Filipowski and his former attorney, Mario Blanch, argue that all relevant evidence—including multiple videos documenting these incidents—is publicly available on YouTube and Facebook, satisfying discovery obligations. Defendants, however, claim deadlines were missed because formal submissions were not made. Blanch stated in court records: “The videos are public and accessible—this satisfies discovery requirements—other discoveries are provided however defendants council are not satisfied with what has been submitted.”
Filipowski has also raised concerns about communication with his former attorney: “…I have lots of questions because there were deadlines missed in the federal lawsuit and there were also deadlines missed in the state lawsuit. The judges seemed very reasonable in giving him extensions … but Mario refused to call or text me back for months, at least two months.”
He emphasized the merit of his case, saying: “I am of course extremely disappointed that justice was not served here at all. I have not just one instance of a major violation of our constitutional rights … It’s shocking that any judge would throw this out, given that I’ve been attacked over 41 times over the last 22 months, all documented on video.”
State Case and Legal Fees
In the state lawsuit, defendants are seeking $8,218 in legal fees, which Blanch opposes, arguing “A reasonable fee award … should reflect actual work performed.” Filipowski is actively preparing appeals in both federal and state cases and seeking new counsel.
He also highlighted two videos he claims contradict defendants’ filings, exposing attempts to mislead the court through false narratives despite clearly documented evidence. Filipowski criticizes the courts’ insistence on formal submissions of videos when the same content is easily accessible to the public, raising questions about whether judicial procedures disproportionately favor those with institutional power.
Earlier this year, criminal charges related to the Union City Board of Commissioners meeting were also dismissed. Filipowski continues to pursue legal remedies, emphasizing systemic concerns over access to justice, treatment of public evidence, and potential bias in the handling of cases involving well-known figures.
Bellow are videos provided to contradict the defendants attorney’s narrative and the Federal Judge.
The full YouTube video of the State Senate Judiciary Committee and the church incident is provided as well.
