A Medina County resident has taken legal action against two township trustees, accusing them of infringing on his First Amendment rights. Justin P. Peroli filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio on December 3, 2025, targeting Ty A. Fullerton and Christopher M. O’Neil, both serving as Lafayette Township Trustees.
The lawsuit revolves around allegations that Fullerton and O’Neil unlawfully blocked Peroli from participating in discussions on their official government Facebook pages. These pages are described as public forums used to conduct township business and engage with residents. According to the complaint, Peroli was an active participant in these forums, contributing to discussions on governance, transparency, zoning, and other community concerns until he was allegedly barred due to his critical comments about the trustees’ actions.
Peroli claims that this blocking constitutes unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination under color of law. The complaint states that both trustees maintain Facebook pages explicitly identified as official government channels, where they disseminate information and solicit public feedback related to Lafayette Township governance. Peroli argues that his comments were protected political speech under the First Amendment and that being blocked from these forums has caused him irreparable harm by suppressing his political speech and denying him equal access to government-controlled public platforms.
In seeking redress from the court, Peroli requests declaratory relief affirming that his First Amendment rights were violated by the defendants’ actions. He also seeks compensatory damages for the alleged harm suffered and punitive damages if deemed appropriate by the court. Additionally, Peroli asks for costs and reasonable attorney’s fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
Representing himself pro se in this case, Justin P. Peroli has filed this civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against Ty A. Fullerton and Christopher M. O’Neil in both their individual and official capacities as Lafayette Township Trustees. The case is presided over by Judge Ruiz with Magistrate Judge Greenberg assisting in proceedings under Case ID: 1:25-cv-02628-DAR.
Source: 125cv02628_Peroli_v_Fullerton_Complaint_Northern_District_Ohio.pdf
