In a dramatic legal battle, a well-known science communicator and author has filed a lawsuit against an individual accused of launching a false and defamatory smear campaign. The plaintiff, Dustin Growick, filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 17, 2025, against Emily Ann Meurer, also known as "Em" Meurer.
The case revolves around accusations that Meurer engaged in a relentless campaign to destroy Growick's reputation and career through false allegations. Growick, known for his work as a science communicator and author of children's books about dinosaurs, claims that Meurer spread lies about him being involved in grooming, drugging, sexual coercion, and assault. These allegations were reportedly made public through social media posts and direct communications with Growick's literary agent and publishers. According to the complaint, these actions resulted in significant damage to Growick's career and personal life.
Growick alleges that prior to these events, he was a respected figure in the science community with successful ventures including museum tours and educational shows. He claims that Meurer's false statements led to the cancellation of his book deals and loss of professional opportunities. The lawsuit states that Meurer had no basis for her accusations and that text messages between them contradict her claims. Additionally, it is alleged that Meurer acted with malicious intent to ruin Growick's reputation by falsely accusing him of stealing her work without credit.
The plaintiff seeks judgment from the court for damages not less than $1 million due to reputational harm, lost business opportunities, emotional distress, and punitive damages for what he describes as intentional infliction of emotional distress by Meurer. Furthermore, Growick requests an injunction requiring Meurer to retract her statements publicly.
Representing Dustin Growick are attorneys Elvis D. Gonzalez from Elvis Gonzalez Ltd., based in Chicago, Illinois, and Kara L. Gorycki from Nesenoff & Miltenberg LLP in New York City. The case is identified under Case No. 1:25-cv-01624.