Libel Lawsuit Filed Against City Of Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA—On August 28, Leonard Hector Korpie, 28, filed a libel suit against the city of Santa Monica over Korpie’s claims of false accusations, defamation of character, malicious prosecution, and federal civil rights violations. Korpie v. City of Santa Monica, the plaintiff alleges a lieutenant with the Santa Monica Police Department defamed him through a false statement provided to the media. On June 11, 2024, at approximately 12:05 a.m., the SMPD responded to an altercation in the 2700 block of Main Street. A fight broke out after the manager at Jameson’s Pub, Jaysent “Jay” Clark asked three rowdy patrons to leave the premises. When Clark escorted the patrons outside, they beat him unconscious. When authorities arrived at the scene, Clark was no longer breathing and officers administered CPR until paramedics arrived. The pub manager was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. All three patrons Clark escorted out of the building were arrested and booked into the Santa Monica Jail. Initial reports indicated that the individual responsible for punching the victim (Clark) was positively identified as Korpie, a resident of Venice. At the time of this report, no other details were known. On June 13, 2025, the district attorney’s office filed homicide charges against the suspect and bail was set at $2 million. In September 2025, a voluntary manslaughter case against Korpie was dismissed after prosecutors were unable to proceed due to lack of evidence. Korpie is seeking monetary damages. By Sharon