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Neil Peart, Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson

Fri, Nov 22, 2024

Alex Lifeson versus the Ritz-Carlton: Alex reacts to case dismissal

Tue, Apr 17, 2007@9:00PM | comments removed/disabled

[Rush guitarist reacts to court decision]

UPDATE - 4/18@7:25AM: In a very interesting twist to this story, it looks like Deputy Christopher Knott - one of the officers involved in Alex's countersuit - has been fired for sexually harassing women. Here's the full story from the Naples Daily News. This guy sounds like a real piece of work. Thanks to Doug for the heads up.

It's essentially common knowledge among Rush fans now but for those of you who don't know, Alex Lifeson and his son were arrested in Naples, FL on New Year's eve 2004 at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Naples, Florida. There is a great running history of the case over at the Power Windows site if you're unfamiliar with the incident. The latest development had been that Alex was filing a countersuit against the Ritz-Carlton and the officers involved in the incident. The suit was to go to trial later this month but last week we learned that the case had unfortunately been dismissed. Alex shared his reaction in an exclusive interview with RockRadio.com this morning:

... Lifeson told us that no one could have seen things going this way: "I was quite shocked with the judge's ruling, as all my lawyers were shocked. And I think that if you probably asked the defendant's lawyers, they would have to admit that they were surprised, too. The ruling was just so overwhelming."

Lifeson also told us that he still believes in his case, so he and his lawyers will continue to move forward: "All we can do is go to appeal. I know what happened to me -- I know what happened in that stairwell, I know the brutality of these police officers, and I know the way the hotel behaved. And, you know, someone else's opinion is someone else's opinion, but I was there, and I know what it was like." ...