A legal battle has erupted in Los Angeles over the control of the local news outlet Knock LA, with two journalists, Cerise Castle and Ben Camacho, filing lawsuits against Ground Game LA, the nonprofit that created the publication. The conflict centers around allegations of copyright infringement, trademark disputes, and claims of misrepresentation.
Castle and Camacho, known for their investigative reporting on law enforcement, argue that Ground Game LA has profited from their work without permission. They claim they were cut off from accessing the Knock LA site and are seeking nearly $5 million in damages. Their lawsuit, filed in federal court, accuses Ground Game of exploiting their copyrighted articles across various platforms, including Castle’s acclaimed series on gangs within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
On the other side, Ground Game LA counters that Castle and Camacho attempted to hijack the outlet. They allege that the journalists misrepresented themselves as the rightful leaders of Knock LA and illegally took its trademarked name and confidential mailing list. Ground Game has also filed its own lawsuit, which claims that the duo and their associates were involved in a scheme to take over the organization.
The dispute stems from a split that occurred in March 2024, when Castle led an effort to separate Knock LA from Ground Game. This move followed concerns over editorial control, demands for unpaid labor, and allegations of racial discrimination. Shortly after, Castle and Camacho were blocked from the outlet’s systems, which they argue was a retaliatory act that prevented them from continuing their work.
Ground Game’s leadership, including co-founder Meghan Choi, contends that they have worked hard to maintain the integrity of the organization. They claim the journalists’ actions were an attempt to undermine the nonprofit’s mission and identity. The tension escalated publicly, with Castle accusing Ground Game of racism and other contributors supporting her claims.
As the litigation unfolds, both sides express regret that the situation has escalated to this point. The outcome could have significant implications for independent journalism in Los Angeles, particularly in the context of the city’s evolving political landscape.