WSVN — Have you ever filed a lawsuit against anyone? Probably not. Now, what would you think of a guy who has filed over 100 lawsuits against everyone and every company you can imagine. Can he be stopped? Let’s bring in Patrick Fraser with a special report we call "Clogging Up the Courts."
Some people are lucky enough to own their own company.
Donell Dunstall, Elite Flyers Corp.: "Clients call us to fulfill their marketing needs, and we print and design business cards and flyers, brochures."
It’s a lot of work running Elite Flyers, but Jennifer and Donell love it.
Jennifer Dixon: "My grandmother said, if you found something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life."
Donell Dunstall: "It doesn’t really feel like work."
But then they got an email from a potential customer asking them to design two sets of business cards. They did.
Donell Dunstall: "We sent him a proof within 24 hours of both sets, which he then made simple changes to and then sent his final approval."
The cards were printed, but before the client even saw them, he sent another email.
Donell Dunstall: "We didn’t adhere to his instructions at all, and that we can expect a lawsuit."
Donell told him, "Forget it. We will return your money and give you the cards for free," but the customer said no. And then they got his lawsuit.
Patrick Fraser: "How much is he suing you for?"
Donell Dunstall: "Three hundred dollars plus court costs now."
Donell and Jennifer were irritated, and started researching the person suing them.
Donell Dunstall: "I started searching his name online and just seeing lawsuit after lawsuit from all over the country, from California to New York, companies like Apple, Dell."
The list goes on and on. From President Obama to the U.S. government. American Express. The New York Police Department and Los Angeles Police Department. Mount Sinai Hospital. Bill Gates and his wife.
A total of 100 lawsuits. Well, make it 101 after you add Elite Flyers to the list.
Jennifer Dixon: "Kind of like the serial suer. He just keeps doing it and doing it and doing it, to everybody."
Is it legal to sue so many people? Sure. A lawyer can’t file frivolous lawsuits, but the guy suing Jennifer and Donell is not a lawyer, so he can sue as many people as he wants.
And each and every time, the courts have to deal with the case.
The only good thing for Jennifer: When she got to court, across the aisle, she finally got to see the guy who was causing her so much stress. Anthony Brian Mallgren.
Jennifer Dixon: "I’m really proud of myself. I didn’t throw the business cards at him."
Before setting a trial date, Judge Donald Cannava asked both sides to meet with a mediator to try to settle things. They did. Mallgren refused to settle.
And then I got to talk to him about the number of lawsuits he has filed.
Anthony Brian Mallgren: "It was over 100, like, basically request of the litigation system."
Patrick Fraser: "So you have sued 100 people?"
Anthony Brian Mallgren: "I’m not certain of the exact figure."
Patrick Fraser: "But it’s a lot."
Anthony Brian Mallgren: "Perhaps."
Patrick Fraser: "Why do you do it?"
Anthony Brian Mallgren: "Attempting to reconcile perceived transgression."
We thought Mallgren was suing people to make money, but he says he’s not made a dime.
Anthony Brian Mallgren: "As far as funds, like, I’m not sure I’ve been awarded like a formal settlement or any type of judgment or anything like that in regards to a reward."
Patrick Fraser: "You never win?"
Anthony Brian Mallgren: "I’m not very sure of that term."
The trial of Mallgren v. Elite Flyers was scheduled for a month later. By that day, Jennifer’s research showed Mallgren had sued more people.
Jennifer Dixon: "One hundred and six. A hundred and six times he has done it."
The judge, the bailiff, the court reporter showed up for the scheduled trial. Mallgren did not.
Judge Donald Cannava: "Because he has failed to appear here today, I’m going to dismiss the case."
Jennifer won, but she says, as a taxpayer, everyone lost.
Patrick Fraser: "A lot of people tied up."
Jennifer Dixon: "Tied up, waste of time, waste of money. And thank God the judge saw that for now, so hopefully he won’t come back."
Maybe he won’t sue Jennifer again, but Mallgren is still busy. He has now filed 109 cases clogging up the courts.
I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.