A notorious “woke” activist, infamous for sending a large number of threatening emails, received only a light reprimand and was termed “highly intelligent” by a civil judge — even after she barged into the courtroom late and physically confronted the plaintiff right in front of court personnel and her own mother.
During Wednesday’s hearing, there was an extended 90-minute delay for Anne Marie Bompart to arrive for the latest proceedings related to a $40 million defamation case brought forth by two West Village lesbian bars, Henrietta Hudson and Cubbyhole.
It was uncertain if she had any intention of showing up, given that her attorney claimed she had been unresponsive to his attempts to communicate for several weeks, prompting him to seek withdrawal as her counsel.
Judge James d’Auguste began the hearing without her presence, stating that the objective of the session was not to incarcerate her, but rather to understand the motivations behind her “troublesome actions,” despite her evident intelligence.
Even though there were at least 70 documented violations of a court order restricting her contact with the plaintiffs, d’Auguste — who noted her excessive emails to his clerks, which were identified as “spam” — indicated that he would refer her for an outpatient 730 psychiatric evaluation.
Just as the judge made his announcement, Bompart arrived, followed by three court officers and her mother.
After a quick discussion with her lawyer, Gerard Lucciola, in the hallway, Bompart re-entered defiantly, laying her hand on Vic Smith’s shoulder as she strolled past him.
“Don’t touch me,” Smith shouted, with the judge, several court officers, supporters of the bars, and Bompart’s mother all witnessing the confrontation.
Smith had a criminal protection order against Bompart for most of the past year and recently lodged a new harassment complaint after receiving more than 70 emails from her, notwithstanding a court order barring contact.
“But you can touch me?” Bompart countered, referring to her claim that Smith had pulled a chair out from under her nearly two years earlier.
The judge offered no reprimand for the altercation, instead expressing gratitude for Bompart’s attendance, albeit delayed by nearly two hours.
D’Auguste emphasized that the court’s purpose was not to assess Bompart’s actions but to delve into their underlying causes.
“This is potentially a situation that could lead to jail time, so the question to consider is, why?” the judge remarked. “Because your behavior is not rational.”
While the judge was speaking, Bompart gestured a heart shape towards a photographer from the New York Post, followed by the same pair of middle fingers.
“She isn’t suitable for an outpatient setting,” remarked the bars’ attorney, Tom Shanahan. “Her conduct in court indicates she’s not taking this situation seriously at all. This is leniency towards someone who should be facing serious consequences — I believe she is a felon.”
It’s worth noting that Bompart has neither been charged with nor convicted of a felony.
“I hold out hope,” d’Auguste expressed, “since Ms. Bompart, regardless of the issues at hand, is indeed a very discerning individual.”
At this moment, Bompart requested the floor and launched into a frenzied, conspiratorial monologue about how Shanahan was “evil” and had colluded with the district attorney to misappropriate her cellphone.
“I’ve faced countless repercussions,” Bompart asserted. “My existence has been shattered. My friends have turned against me. Everyone perceives me as malevolent.”
“They can’t get enough of my presence; that’s why they’re all here. They adore me,” she declared, channeling the spirit of Norma Desmond. “What Vic is really upset about is that he isn’t getting any action, and that’s all this is about.”
“This is precisely the kind of self-control you’re lacking,” the judge noted. “Had you not sent those emails, you literally wouldn’t be in this predicament today.”
