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Case of the Month October 2026

Publisher of local newspaper asserted that community business owner made defamatory statements about him

Lakeland Printing Co. Inc. et al. v. Bangstad et al.

Case Type:
Defamation - Libel
Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
Negligence-Other

Specific Liability:
Defamation

General Injury:
Defamation

Jurisdiction:
State: Wisconsin
Circuit Court of Wisconsin, Ninth Judicial District, Oneida County.

Related Court Documents:
Plaintiff's third amended complaint: 2023 WL 11974732
Defendants' brief in support of motion for summary judgment: 2023 WL 11974729
Jury instructions: 2023 WL 11974735
Judgment 2024 WL 4753185

Case Name:
Lakeland Printing Co. Inc. et al. v. Bangstad et al.

Docket/File Number:
2021-CV-000073

Result Amount:
Plaintiff Gregg Walker, $750,000

Result Date:
October 27, 2023

Judge:
Leon D. Stenz

Attorneys:
Plaintiffs: Matthew M. Fernholz, Cramer Multhauf LLP, Waukesha, WI; Domonic A. Burke, Cramer Multhauf LLP, Waukesha, WI; Janna L. Sorgatz, Cramer Multhauf LLP, Waukesha, WI; Ashley E. McNulty, Cramer Multhauf LLP, Waukesha, WI
Defendants: Frederick B. Melms, Melms Law, Bayside, WI; Jeffrey T. Nichols, Crivello Carlson SC, Eau Claire, WI; Timothy M. Johnson, Crivello Carlson SC, Eau Claire, WI; Molly K. Woodford, Crivello Carlson SC, Eau Claire, WI

Result Type:
Jury

Experts:
Plaintiff: Not Reported
Defendant: Not Reported

Breakdown of Award:
$320,000 to plaintiff Gregg Walker for compensatory damages
$430,000 to plaintiff Gregg Walker for punitive damages

Summary of Facts:
Plaintiff Gregg Walker reportedly owned and/or operated plaintiff Lakeland Printing Company Inc., located in Minocqua, Wis., while Lakeland Printing Company Inc. allegedly wholly owned The Lakeland Times newspaper, which served Oneida County, Wis., as well as the surrounding Northwoods area. Walker was the owner and publisher of The Lakeland Times.

The plaintiffs asserted that they published a news analysis in The Lakeland Times entitled 'Tavern League Lobbyist: OC Health Department Practicing Biological McCarthyism.' The article allegedly referred to defendant Kirk Bangstad, the owner of defendant Minocqua Brewing Company LLC. According to the plaintiffs, Bangstad was running for Wisconsin State Assembly when the article was published.

The following day, the plaintiffs contended that Bangstad posted a message on his campaign Facebook page, referring to Walker as a 'crook' and identifying him as the owner of The Lakeland Times.

The plaintiffs asserted that a few days later, Bangstad posted a message on The Lakeland Times' Facebook page indicating that it was not 'a real paper' and was a 'propaganda machine.'

The plaintiffs contended that although their attorney sent Bangstad a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Bangstad retract his statement that Walker was a 'crook,' as it was false because Walker had never engaged in criminal activity, Bangstad allegedly refused to do so. Rather, Bangstad reportedly posted a message on his Facebook page indicating that Walker was a 'misogynistic bully' and again referring to Walker as a 'crook.'

The plaintiffs said that after an article was published in The Lakeland Times indicating that a Bangstad campaign finance report failed to balance by more than $18,000, Bangstad allegedly posted a message on the Minocqua Brewing Facebook page, referring to Walker as a 'misogynist' and falsely claiming that Walker and The Lakeland Times had referred to the actions of the Local Chamber of Commerce Director Krystal Westfahl as 'retarded.'

In a subsequent Facebook post, the plaintiffs asserted that Bangstad apologized to Walker, The Lakeland Times and another individual and admitted that he was mistaken in claiming that Walker and/or The Lakeland Times had used the word 'retarded.' However, the plaintiffs contended that approximately seven months later, Bangstad published a post on Minocqua Brewing's Facebook page, referring to Walker as a 'misogynist publisher of The Lakeland Times.' Bangstad also falsely claimed that Walker had failed to help his brother before he died due to a hunting accident and falsely claimed that Walker had financially abused and/or engaged in elder abuse against his father.

The plaintiffs asserted multiple claims, which included claims for libel/defamation, negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The plaintiffs sought monetary damages for the defendants' alleged defamatory and/or libelous statements and/or defamation of a business, as well as punitive damages in excess of $200,000, together with attorney fees and costs.

The defendants denied liability and argued that as a prominent member of the Minocqua community, Walker was a general purpose public figure. As a result, the defendants asserted that the plaintiffs were required to prove that the defendants' alleged defamatory statements were made with actual malice. The defendants contended that the plaintiffs lacked sufficient evidence to show that Bangstad acted with actual malice.

The defendants further contended that the plaintiffs had published articles that contained false and defamatory statements about Bangstad and his political views.

In addition, the defendants disputed the nature and extent of the plaintiffs' claimed damages.

Following a jury trial, jurors found in Walker's favor and awarded him $750,000.

In a judgment filed Feb. 2, 2024, the court entered judgment in Walker's favor against Bangstad for $750,000, plus statutory costs of $9,423, for a total judgment of $759,423.

Regarding Minocqua Brewing Company, the court ordered that it would be jointly and severally liable with Bangstad for $320,000, together with statutory costs of $9,423, for a total judgment of $329,423.

Circuit Court of Wisconsin, Ninth Judicial District, Oneida County.

Westlaw Citation:
2023 WL 11990983