Paul Krasinski, founder of the Farmhouse, is suing two former girlfriends, Danielle Cyr-DeFrias and Jackie Bruno, as well as six other unnamed women, accusing them of conspiring to defame him and to destroy the reputation of his South Plymouth nonprofit.
The lawsuit says they made false claims to the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services, and installed cameras directed at his property to monitor visitors to the Farmhouse.
The goal of the nonprofit, set on 10 acres with multiple buildings, is “to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students of Plymouth County schools to empower them, develop their confidence, teach life skills and allow them the opportunity to mature and grow,” the lawsuit said.
Krasinski, 48, who is the brother of actor and director John Krasinski, claims in the suit that Cyr-DeFrias defamed him in social media posts, including in a comment on the Farmhouse’s Instagram feed that said it “is anything but a safe and supporting space.”
It accuses Bruno of emailing people, including Plymouth school officials, warning them to “beware” of Krasinski. It also says she arranged “to have printed a negative ‘hit piece’ in the Plymouth Independent.”
That April 20 story stemmed from two cease-and-desist letters from the town that were delivered to Krasinski and obtained by the Independent, said editor Mark Pothier. Bruno was not the source of the story and did not “arrange” to have it published, he said, though she was quoted in it.
The Independent reported that town officials demanded that Krasinski stop using buildings on his property to run educational programs, saying he lacked the necessary permits, and was in violation of the state’s fire code.
Over the winter and in April, the Farmhouse hosted programs with Plymouth South High School, MAP Academy charter school, and EdTV, the Plymouth Public Schools’ video education production program.
“Paul is using the schools, the town, and people’s generosity and hope for opportunity to his advantage,” Bruno said in the Independent story.
“Ms. Bruno’s statements falsely suggested to the Plymouth Independent’s readers that the Farmhouse is a sham charity run by Mr. Krasinski to further his own interests and advantage,” the lawsuit says. “This claim is utterly false and fabricated.”
“Mr. Krasinski’s lawsuit contends that over the course of nearly a year, he has been subjected to a well-coordinated smear campaign orchestrated by a small group of individuals with a very transparent agenda,” Krasinski’s attorney, David Rich, said in a statement to the Independent.
“This campaign has attempted, at least in part, to distract people from the incredible impact that the Farmhouse, its staff, partners and supporters have been delivering to the Plymouth community in its early stages of growth,” Rich continued. “Numerous requests that this conduct stop have been ignored. As a result, Mr. Krasinski felt compelled to take this necessary step to protect his family, team, reputation, and the Farmhouse’s vision.
The two named women, through their attorney, said Krasinski is using the lawsuit to intimidate them.
“Danielle Cyr-DeFrias and Jackie Bruno are saddened to learn that Paul Krasinski has chosen to use the legal system to punish and silence women who have spoken out against his inappropriate conduct towards them,” said their attorney, Megan Siddall, in a statement to the Independent.
“Nor is it defamation for Danielle and Jackie to state their opinions about the way Mr. Krasinski has treated them,” Siddall continued. “Both Danielle and Jackie bravely used their voice and names to detail their experiences with Mr. Krasinski. We hope the court will quickly dismiss this meritless complaint. But if this case proceeds to discovery, Danielle and Jackie are confident that the truth will be apparent after Mr. Krasinski is subjected to the rigors of the discovery process. They look forward to their day in court.”
Since the Independent’s story, a spokesperson for Krasinski said, he has applied for permits including one requesting to move a structure that encroaches on a neighbor’s property, for which he apparently needs a permit.
“The commissioner of inspectional services indicated that permits have been pulled,” Town Manager Derek Brindisi confirmed in an email to the Independent, without specifying which permits.
Fred Thys can be reached at fred@plymouthindependent.org