Arizona Pickleball Defamation Lawsuit: Steve Cable, a pickleball player from Surprise, Arizona, says he should not be sued for defamation in California. Cable is being sued by his neighbor, Jody Bernat, who also filed a lawsuit in February against Cal Coast News reporter Karen Velie. Cable says he lives in Arizona and has never spoken about committing crimes.
The lawsuits stem from a story Karen Velie published on December 30. In the article, Velie wrote that Jody Bernat, the ex-wife of San Luis Obispo County real estate attorney John Belsher, was living under a different name in Arizona. Velie said her source was Steve Cable.
“Steven Cable, a neighbor of John and Jody Belsher in Arizona, told Cal Coast News the Belshers introduce themselves as a married couple using the aliases Jon Bailey and Jody Bernat.” – (karen Velie)
She later changed the word “aliases” to “names” and added a note at the top of the article: “Jodi Belsher legally changed her name to Jody Bernat after moving to Arizona, according to John Belsher.”
What Led to the Lawsuits
Bernat says the article hurt her reputation and work relationships. She also said it put her in danger because she had changed her name to avoid a “violent stalker.”
In a court filing on March 19, Steve Cable explained how he got involved. He said another pickleball player had texted him an article about John Belsher’s court trial. In that case, Belsher and real estate developer Ryan Wright, who was once known as Ryan Petetit, were accused of cheating investors Jeff Chase and Debra Chase.
Belsher and Wright lost and were ordered to pay $3.6 million. Belsher told The Tribune in March that he plans to appeal. He also said he had already agreed to pay the Chases $1 million before and during the lawsuit. Cable said he recognized Belsher in a photo with the article. He had met Belsher before at their pickleball club in Arizona.
“I told her that I had seen the articles about the guy owing millions to defrauded investors.” – (cable)
He said he believed Bernat and Belsher were renting a house in his neighborhood and that he and his wife had played pickleball with them. Cable also said when he introduced himself and his wife to Belsher, Bernat came over and said she was Belsher’s wife.
Cable’s Role and Response
Cable said Karen Velie called him again a few days later. She said the Chases wanted to talk with him. Cable agreed and later gave the Chases a written statement. He quoted the updated article, which now says “names” instead of “aliases,” and added that the statement was true. He said he never claimed Bernat or Belsher were using false names.
He also said, “I never said Bernat or Belsher were ‘running from the law’ or were ‘criminals.’” In January, Bernat confronted Cable at the pickleball courts. She told him that “the Chases were out to get them and that Cal Coast News is a rag or malicious blog.”
Bernat later sent a 12-page email to many members of the pickleball club. The email defended her and John Belsher. It also blamed Cable for revealing her name and location.
“Her safety here in Arizona is no longer ensured, and she must now deal once again with potential threats from this stalker, if not far more serious actions.” – (Bernat’s email)
Legal Arguments
In response to Steve Cable’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, John Belsher argued that since Cable contacted Karen Velie in California, he should be held responsible for any harm caused there.
Jody Bernat told The Tribune that she has tried to serve Karen Velie several times since February but hasn’t been successful. The next hearing in the case is set for June 16.
News in Brief: Arizona Pickleball Defamation Lawsuit
Arizona pickleball player Steve Cable says he can’t be sued in California over a defamation case tied to a Cal Coast News article. Cable claims he never said anything false or criminal. The case involves reporter Karen Velie and neighbor Jody Bernat. A court hearing is scheduled for June 16.