A legal battle has erupted over alleged defamatory statements made on social media, highlighting the potential perils of online anonymity. Keith DiMarino filed a complaint against an unidentified individual using the pseudonym "Joe Kelly" in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on April 21, 2025. The defendant is accused of maliciously publishing false and injurious statements about DiMarino on Facebook.
Keith DiMarino, founder and CEO of GenVault, claims that since May 2024, he has been subjected to a defamation campaign orchestrated by the defendant under the alias "Joe Kelly." The complaint details numerous instances where defamatory comments were posted on both a Facebook profile and in comments on DiMarino's personal account. Statements included accusations of financial misconduct, creating a toxic work environment, and personal attacks suggesting infidelity. One post from January 3, 2025, reads: “Biggest grifter there is. Doesn’t pay his bills but loves to settle out of court.” Another post from March 13, 2025, states: “This guy below is Keith Dimarino of Genvault. He’s a tyrant. Had an abusive workplace and doesn’t pay his bills.”
DiMarino asserts that these statements are not only false but have caused significant harm to his reputation both personally and professionally. The plaintiff emphasizes that he maintains a positive work environment at GenVault and handles finances with integrity. He believes the defendant's actions were intentional and aimed at damaging his reputation through deceitful means. As stated in the complaint, “Defendant acted with actual malice,” knowing the statements were false or acting with reckless disregard for their truthfulness.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief from the court. DiMarino requests compensatory damages exceeding jurisdictional limits to be determined at trial, as well as punitive damages for the harm caused by these defamatory statements. Additionally, he seeks a permanent injunction to prevent further dissemination of these posts and demands their removal from Facebook. The plaintiff also requests that if necessary, he be allowed to act on behalf of the defendant to remove any remaining defamatory content.
Representing Keith DiMarino is attorney Sarah M. Kolick from MINC LLC based in Orange Village, Ohio. The case was filed under Case ID number [not provided] in Delaware County Court before an unspecified judge.