Introduction

Former “web designer,” Vincent Nicotra, has been the target of various unethical and even illegal activities. While we had been following this, mildly, that has since changed. If you haven’t been following the Nicotra situation, let’s get you caught up.

Vincent, of “Ven interactive Media“, was originally in charge of websites for journalist, Chris Hansen. Nicotra recently was given the public spotlight when he filed multiple false DMCA claims against various Youtubers. However, his criminal, and unethical, activities didn’t stop there.

Doxxing Claims

Even prior to Nicotra’s termination from Hansen, there have been accusations in regards to doxxing. While we normally don’t discuss hearsay, there are multiple individuals making this claim. Oxford defines doxxing as, the “search for and publishment of private or identifying information about (a particular individual) on the Internet, typically with malicious intent.”

While doxxing is illegal, it is often hard to get an actual conviction. In many cases, it’s simply to difficult to establish who the doxxer actually is. However, that’s if the doxxer plays it smart, something Vincent has clearly failed to do. While he has been exposed by his victims, and countless others, it appears to have no effect on Vincent’s behavior.

DMCA claims

Alongside the doxxing accusations, Nicotra is also accused of filing false DMCA claims. Baked Salmon and Wes Moast, being a constant target of such claims. Recently Baked Salmon even had his channel shutdown as a result of Vincent’s false DMCA reports. While the channel has since been restored, this doesn’t change the malicious intent behind Vincent’s actions.

Baked Salmon is an individual who has a history of being critical of Hansen and Nicotra. It is possible that the subjects within the video is what lead Nicotra’s actions. Even if this were to be true, it doean’t make the action any less illegal. While Hansen has, in recent times, apologized for the false DMCA claims, Nicotra has only continued to make the false reports. So what exactly is DMCA?

A DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) claim is intended to prevent copyright infringement. However, Vincent has apparantly forgotten that. In filing a DMCA claim, Vincent is claiming property ownership of the videos posted. The problem, however, is upon watching the videos targeted, it’s obvious that the claim is false. What Nicotra may not be aware of is section 512(f) of the DMCA. Section 512(f) of the DMCA act places legal liability on any person who willfully, and knowingly, files a false claim; remember, a DMCA claim is a legally binding document and can be used in court.

The computer and the FBI

One tidbit that has been circulating Twitter, in regards of Nicotra, is the infamous computer. A victim of Onision had apparantly sent a computer, containing evidence against Onision, to Vincent. Upon recieving the computer, it was supposed to be forwarded to the FBI. Sounds like a great plan, right? The problem is, and recently confirmed by Chris Hansen himself, is Vincent never actually sent it. Instead, after months of holding it, he sent it back to the victim. By doing this, it raises questions as to rather or not Nicotra was purposefully trying to derail the Onision investigation. In the end, we may never know the real reason as to why he did this.

Conclusion

Regardless of how you speak out, if it’s against Nicotra, you can ensure that problems will occur. Upon being terminated, the website, “Hansen vs. Predators,” was essentially taken hostage by Nicotra. Since the time of this event, the website has been put up for auction. Various other individuals, who have spoken against Nicotra, were met with insults, DMCA claims, and even the loss of their channels.

Nicotra, appears to be trying to salvage his reputation while destroying it. Filled with many allegations, some being sexual harassment, to which we haven’t even begun to cover, it leads us to ask, “why doesn’t he simply stop?” As with most things, this is a question to which we may never get an answer. In the meantime, the people he has targeted have waged an all-out virtual war against this apparent abuser.