Letter to the Editor Issue

[tommyk]

I recently wrote a letter to the editor using a "pen" name. It turns out that there is a real person by that name. That person contacted the police and complained that his name was used in the letter.

I had no idea that my pen name was a real person. It was purely coincidental.

The police emailed me and said to contact them. If I didn't I would be subpoenaed.

I didn't think there was anything illegal about writing a letter to the editor using a pen name.

Can they do this?

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: Can they do this?

A: From your post, sounds like they already did.

 

[tommyk]

The question was: can they legally subpoena me? . . . which up to this post they have not.

Or:

Are they using scare tactics?

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: The question was: can they legally subpoena me?

A: Yes.



Q: Are they using scare tactics?

A: I have no idea why people do stuff.