The person used the many false identities in E-Mail dialogues with unsuspecting network users to create the impression that these totally false accusations were backed up by many different people, including many persons of authority. The person who created these bogus facts did not stay at the Carib Inn and was not even on Bonaire as claimed. The accusations were totally made up for the purpose of hurting the Carib Inn and the many fine people who are a part of this organization. Such malicious behavior has never been protected as freedom of speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States or under any other similar concept. To the contrary, the law provides for the punishment of such behavior because, for among other reasons, it is believed that such malicious conduct threatens the existence of free speech.
False statements have no place in the market place of free ideas, thoughts, and opinions.
This is not a situation where every time there is a disagreement or debate or complaint about bad service there will be a lawsuit or, as one misguided commentator put it, millions of defamation suits. Here an individual deliberately made up false statements for the purpose of hurting hard working, fine people. This kind of attack has nothing to do with free speech. It is also worth noting that the person who did this could not have had any expectations of privacy and should have known under the circumstances that AOL would disclose their identity. Under these rules, it is prohibited to use AOL's facilities to defame or to harass others, all of which this person did.