YouTuber Friendlyjordies – also known as Jordan Shanks-Markovina -has raised more than $1 million to pay his legal bills, as he prepares to go to court with NSW deputy premier John Barilaro.
Barilaro launched legal action against the YouTuber earlier this year, claiming he was defamed in two of Shanks-Markovina’s videos.
Friendlyjordies Receives More Than $1M In Crowd Funded Support Ahead Of Defamation Case With NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro
According to Barilaro’s lawyers, the videos imply he is “corrupt” and has “committed perjury”.
On Thursday, Sydney law firm Xenophon Davis – which is defending Shanks-Markovina – announced it had been deposited $1,060,300 ahead of the legal battle.
“We believe these cases go to the heart of a citizen’s right to challenge, investigate and criticise politicians. We are inspired by this level of support,” the law firm said in a statement.
The funds will also be used to defend Friendlyjordies producer Kristo Langker, who was arrested and charged with two counts of stalking or intimidating Barilaro last month.
“A huge thank you to everyone that has supported us over the past month. We will never forget this generosity. We have received more than 24,000 individual donations – that’s more people who first voted John Barilaro into Parliament. We know the public is on our side,” Shanks-Markovina said in a statement.
