Coffeezilla Strikes Back at Logan Paul’s Defamation Lawsuit over CryptoZoo Controversy.
YouTube investigative journalist Stephen ‘Coffeezilla’ Findeisen has publicly responded to Logan Paul’s defamation lawsuit, which was filed after Coffeezilla accused Paul’s CryptoZoo NFT project of being a scam. Coffeezilla has consistently claimed that the CryptoZoo scheme was Paul’s “biggest scam,” and his videos aimed to assist buyers in reclaiming their investments.
Despite Logan Paul’s announcement of a $1.3 million refund initiative, Coffeezilla criticized the plan, pointing out that it would only cover 12% of the total losses. Furthermore, he noted that those who accepted the refund would be required to drop any legal claims against Paul.
On June 27, 2024, Logan Paul escalated the situation by filing a detailed 47-page lawsuit against Coffeezilla, seeking $75,000 in compensatory damages. Over a month later, on August 5, Coffeezilla released a 20-minute video on his YouTube channel, addressing the lawsuit and accusing Paul of trying to evade responsibility. He asserted that Paul had not learned from the CryptoZoo fiasco and was attempting to suppress critical voices.
Coffeezilla argued that Paul is his own worst enemy in this lawsuit, citing past videos where Paul praised Coffeezilla’s investigative work and intentions. “Defamation requires actual malice and a reckless disregard for the truth,” Coffeezilla remarked, implying that Paul’s own words could undermine his lawsuit.
He theorized that Logan Paul had chosen not to sue over the original deep dive into CryptoZoo but targeted two specific videos and a tweet that advocated for victims to receive refunds. Coffeezilla highlighted that for Paul to seek damages, he must prove that his reputation was harmed. However, he pointed out that Paul’s success with his Prime brand had left him wealthier than ever, and his reputation as a scammer was already established before Coffeezilla’s videos.
Despite standing by his work, Coffeezilla admitted to a critical error that left him personally liable for the legal battle, as he could not rely on Media Insurance. He urged his audience to support him by purchasing merchandise, with all profits going towards his legal expenses.
In the closing segment of his response, Coffeezilla explored the timing of Paul’s lawsuit, which came over a year after Paul’s initial apology for the CryptoZoo debacle. Coffeezilla noted that just six days before the lawsuit was filed, he had featured Paul in a teaser for an upcoming video. Additionally, he had contacted Paul for comment 21 hours before the lawsuit was filed, giving him 24 hours to respond. Paul filed the lawsuit just three hours before the deadline.
Coffeezilla revealed that the initial email notifying him of the lawsuit contained threats of accountability if he continued reporting on a new story about Liquid Marketplace. This led Coffeezilla to believe that the lawsuit was intended to silence him rather than to win in court.
While acknowledging the possibility of coincidence, Coffeezilla expressed his doubts, asserting that Paul was trying to suppress his investigative reporting through legal intimidation. He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to his work and his readiness to face the legal challenge head-on.