Bob Harvie v. Defending America PAC Claims Defendants falsely called Bob Harvie an FBI corruption subject 30 times
Bob Harvie and his principal campaign committee, Bob Harvie for Congress, sued Defending America PAC, Inc. and its political consultant Chris Pack, alleging the defendants repeatedly published false statements calling Harvie an “FBI corruption subject” and falsely implying he was under criminal investigation. The complaint seeks a minimum of $150,000 in compensatory damages, presumed damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees, plus costs of suit. The total amount in controversy exceeds $150,000.
Harvie, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, denies ever being the target of any criminal investigation and states he testified before a federal grand jury in 2022 solely as a witness in an unrelated probe. The complaint asserts, "Harvie is not now and never has been the target of any criminal investigation nor has he ever been charged with a crime." (Compl. ¶3).
Alleged Defamatory Mechanism: False Claims of FBI Corruption and Misconduct
The complaint alleges that Defendants Defending America PAC, Inc. and Chris Pack repeatedly published false statements portraying Bob Harvie as an "FBI corruption subject." According to the filing, Defendants disseminated these claims through their website, social media, emails, and public statements, despite Harvie's repeated denials and a formal cease-and-desist letter. The complaint notes that Defendants’ website repeatedly referred to Harvie as the "subject of an FBI corruption investigation" across multiple pages, including those related to campaign finance and endorsements. (Compl. ¶50).
The complaint cites at least 30 social media posts and 28 direct references by Pack in which Harvie was labeled an "FBI corruption subject." In one instance, Pack allegedly stated, "you’ll need to update [the number] to 28," referring to the count of such references. (Compl. ¶67). Additionally, Pack is alleged to have made at least 27 additional references to Harvie as an "FBI corruption subject" on X.com, separate from the 28 direct references already cited. (Compl. ¶59). Defending America PAC is also alleged to have publicly taunted Harvie, stating, "he still hasn’t filed suit despite us calling him an FBI corruption subject dozens of additional times."
The complaint further alleges that Defendants published a defamatory Facebook post falsely claiming Harvie had an affair with a Bucks County employee while married. The post, attributed to Harvie, stated: "I’m Bobbie Harvie and I banged #SaraRisi, a Bucks County Children and Youth Worker while I was married." Plaintiffs contend that Defendants made no effort to verify the truth of this post before republishing it. (Compl. ¶76).
Bob Harvie’s Grand Jury Testimony and FBI Probe Context
Harvie testified as a witness before a federal grand jury in September 2022. The complaint states, “Harvie is not now and never has been the target of any criminal investigation nor has he ever been charged with a crime.” (Compl. ¶3).
After his 2022 appearance, Harvie had no further contact with the FBI, and the investigation did not result in any action against him. (Compl. ¶43-44). On September 30, 2023, Harvie publicly denied being the target of an investigation, stating, “I am not now and never have been the target of any criminal investigation.” Less than a week later, on October 6, 2023, Republican candidates issued apologies for campaign mailers that falsely claimed Harvie was “wrapped up in an FBI investigation.” (Compl. ¶41).
The complaint alleges that Defendants Defending America PAC, Inc. and Chris Pack continued to refer to Harvie as an “FBI corruption subject” despite these public denials and the lack of any basis for such claims. The FBI probe, which began in 2017, did not implicate Harvie as a target or subject, and no charges or indictments were issued against him. (Compl. ¶33, ¶35).
Damages Sought for Defamation and False Light Claims
The complaint seeks a minimum of $150,000 in compensatory damages, presumed damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees from Defendants Defending America PAC, Inc. and Chris Pack. (Compl. ¶10). Plaintiffs allege that the defendants’ conduct was willful, wanton, malicious, and undertaken with actual malice, as stated in the complaint: "Defendants’ conduct is willful, wanton, malicious, and undertaken with actual malice." (Compl. ¶100).
The complaint demands a jury trial on all issues and requests "such other relief as the Court deems just and proper."
Parties: Bob Harvie, Bob Harvie for Congress, Defending America PAC, and Chris Pack
The plaintiffs are Bob Harvie, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, and Bob Harvie for Congress, his principal campaign committee. Harvie announced his candidacy in April 2025 and filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission later that September. He secured the Democratic nomination on May 19, 2026. (Compl. ¶46-47).
The defendants are Defending America PAC, Inc., an out-of-state Super PAC, and Chris Pack, a political consultant for the PAC. The complaint alleges that Defending America PAC paid Pack’s firm, Breakwall Group, for “strategy consulting,” directly tying Pack’s actions to the PAC’s operations. (Compl. ¶56). The PAC’s materials included the disclaimer: “Paid for by Defending America PAC. Not authorized by any candidate or candidates [sic] committee.” (Compl. ¶48).
Timothy J. Ford, Esq., represents the plaintiffs in this matter. On July 2, 2026, Ford sent a cease-and-desist letter to the defendants, demanding they “immediately cease and desist from falsely calling Bob an ‘FBI corruption subject.’” The letter cited legal precedent, including St. Amant v. Thompson (390 U.S. 727), to argue that Defendants had notice of the falsity of their claims after Harvie’s public denials and corroboration by press reports. (Compl. ¶64-65). The letter was also sent to Paul Kilgore, a non-party recipient.
Count I: Defamation Under Pennsylvania Law
The complaint alleges that Defendants Defending America PAC, Inc. and Chris Pack committed defamation by repeatedly publishing false statements that Bob Harvie was an "FBI corruption subject." Plaintiffs argue that the statements constitute defamation per se due to the false imputation of criminal and sexual misconduct, which is actionable without proof of special damages under Pennsylvania law. (Compl. ¶91).
The complaint highlights Defendants’ alleged reckless disregard for the truth, noting they made no effort to verify the accuracy of a Facebook post falsely claiming Harvie had engaged in sexual misconduct with a Bucks County employee before republishing it. (Compl. ¶76).
The complaint notes that Defendants’ website labeled Harvie an "FBI corruption subject" across multiple pages, while Chris Pack made at least 28 direct references to Harvie as an "FBI corruption subject" on social media. (Compl. ¶50, ¶53). The complaint also notes that Pack made at least 27 additional references to Harvie as an "FBI corruption subject" on X.com. (Compl. ¶59).
Count II: False Light Invasion of Privacy Under Pennsylvania Law
The complaint alleges that Defendants Defending America PAC, Inc. and Chris Pack cast Plaintiffs Bob Harvie and Bob Harvie for Congress in a false light by publishing statements that falsely implied Harvie engaged in infidelity, abuse of public office, and criminal conduct. The complaint asserts this as a distinct cause of action for False Light Invasion of Privacy, separate from the defamation claim. (Count II).
The complaint cites multiple instances where Defendants allegedly published statements that falsely portrayed Harvie as having engaged in sexual misconduct and misuse of his public position. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Defendants falsely implied that Harvie cheated on his wife, had sex with a Bucks County employee, and used his position to influence the promotion of a Bucks County employee. Harvie denies these allegations, stating in the complaint that he "never cheated on his wife or had sex with a Bucks County employee" and "never used his position to influence the promotion of a Bucks County employee." (Compl. ¶73-74).
One particularly inflammatory example cited in the complaint is a Facebook post published by Defendants, which stated, in its words, "I’m Bobbie Harvie and I banged #SaraRisi, a Bucks County Children and Youth Worker while I was married." The complaint alleges that Defendants made no effort to verify the truth of this post before republishing it. (Compl. ¶76).
The complaint seeks damages for the false light invasion of privacy claim, in addition to the damages sought for defamation. The total amount in controversy for all claims exceeds $150,000, with plaintiffs requesting a minimum of $150,000 for compensatory damages, presumed damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. (Compl. ¶10).
Cease-and-Desist Letter and Procedural Posture
On July 2, 2026, counsel for Bob Harvie and Bob Harvie for Congress sent a cease-and-desist letter to Defending America PAC, Inc. and Chris Pack demanding that the defendants “immediately cease and desist from falsely calling Bob an ‘FBI corruption subject.’” The letter explicitly put Defendants on notice of the falsity of their claims regarding Harvie’s grand jury testimony, stating that Harvie had testified solely as a witness, not as a subject or target of any investigation. (Compl. ¶65). The letter also cited legal precedent, including St. Amant v. Thompson, to argue that Defendants had notice of the falsity of their statements after Harvie’s public denials and corroboration by press reports. (Compl. ¶64).
The complaint alleges that despite this notice, the defendants continued to publish statements calling Harvie an “FBI corruption subject.” Plaintiffs contend that the defendants’ conduct was willful, wanton, malicious, and undertaken with actual malice, as stated in the complaint: "Defendants’ conduct is willful, wanton, malicious, and undertaken with actual malice." (Compl. ¶100).
The complaint seeks judgment in favor of the plaintiffs and demands a minimum of $150,000 in compensatory damages, presumed damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees, as well as costs of suit and such other relief as the court deems just and proper. Plaintiffs have also demanded a jury trial on all issues. (Compl. ¶10).
The allegations described here are taken from the filing and remain unproven; no responsive pleading is reflected in the source document.
The allegations described here are taken from the filing and remain unproven; no responsive pleading is reflected in the source document.
David Brunk is a civil litigation attorney. He can be reached at david@newmanbrunk.com.
From the Complaint Public Court Record
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA : BOB HARVIE and BOB HARVIE FOR : CIVIL ACTION CONGRESS, : Plaintiffs, : v. : No. 2:26-cv-05544 : DEFENDING AMERICA PAC, INC. and : CHRIS PACK, : JURY DEMANDED Defendants. : : COMPLAINT Plaintiffs Bob Harvie and Bob Harvie for Congress bring this action against Defendants Defending America PAC, Inc. and Chris Pack (together, “Defendants”), arising from Defendants’ sustained campaign to defame Harvie by repeatedly and recklessly publishing false and defamatory statements imputing criminal conduct that go beyond the bounds even of a highly contested political campaign. INTRODUCTION 1. Plaintiff Bob Harvie is the Democratic Party nominee for Representative in Congress for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 General Election. 2. Over the past year, Defendants—an out-of-state Super PAC and its out-of-state political consultant—have repeatedly and recklessly published false and defamatory statements calling Harvie an “FBI corruption subject” or “under FBI investigation” on a dedicated website, http://www.fireharvie.com, in a produced video, in social media posts, and through an electronic mail list intended to reach Harvie’s community in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District. 3. This is not a mere political attack in a hotly contested campaign. Contrary to the meaning that out-of-state political operatives have endeavored to convey—to convince Harvie’s
2 community that Harvie is somehow connected to a crime—Harvie is not now and never has been the target of any criminal investigation nor has he ever been charged with a crime. 4. Rather, public reporting makes clear that Harvie appeared before a federal grand jury in 2021 as a witness, as a former Falls Township elected official alongside several other current and former Falls Township officials, in a probe of political donations and union contracts related to the Penn
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