GREENBELT, MD — Benson Fischer, founder and CEO of the marketing and consulting firm ZivZo, LLC, has filed a federal lawsuit against Dennis Yu, founder of BlitzMetrics, alleging cyberstalking, extortion, and defamation. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Case No. 8:25-CV-02075-PX), seeks $6 million in damages.

According to the complaint, Benson Fischer — who states he has never met or spoken to Dennis Yu, became the target of an online campaign that commenced in April 2025. The complaint asserts the conflict stems from Fischer’s work as a business and franchise consultant for 12 franchisees of Nautical Bowls, who were in a legal dispute with the parent franchising company.

Alleged Extortion and “Digital Warfare”

Benson Fischer alleges that Yu, who established a professional relationship with Nautical Bowls in 2024, used LinkedIn and various internet platforms in an effort to harass Fischer. The goal, according to the filing, was to pressure Benson Fischer into abandoning his consulting role and halt his assistance to attorney Richard Schimel in the franchisees’ pursuit of a settlement.

The Fischer alleges that Yu’s conduct escalated into what it describes as a “digital warfare” strategy, including:

• Cybersquatting: The complaint alleges Yu purchased domain names including Benson-Fischer.com and com without consent to use as a weapon.
• SEO Manipulation: The complaint states Yu used these domains and the name “ZivZo” in numerous URLs to elevate disparaging content in Google search results.
• Targeting Legal Counsel: The lawsuit alleges Yu also purchased the domain com to post articles criticizing Fischer’s attorney’s website and used unauthorized photographs of Schimel in his postings.

Nautical Bowls Connection

The litigation against Yu is proceeding alongside a related action. In a separate case filed in the same court, Benson Fischer has also sued Nautical Bowls Franchising Company, LLC (Case No. 8:25-cv-02286), also seeking $6 million in damages.

The second complaint alleges that Nautical Bowls Franchising Company conspired with Dennis Yu after Nautical Bowls’ attack on Fischer failed. The complaint alleges that Nautical Bowls efforts were designed to obstruct Fischer’s consulting services and interfere with the franchisees’ pursuit of a resolution.

Dennis Yu’s Refusal to Remove Content

After five days of mediation in September 2025, Benson Fischer and Richard Schimel settled all of the franchisees’ claims. According to the complaint, Yu has not removed the posts referencing Fischer and ZivZo, and Fischer’s requests for removal have been unsuccessful.

According to court filings, Yu’s year-long online activity includes more than 20 articles that the complaint characterizes as containing a “mix of fabrications and unsubstantiated statements about Fischer, his marketing firm ZivZo”, and his legal counsel, Richard Schimel.

Benson Fischer further alleges that Yu has conditioned removal of the posts on a monetary payment and the dismissal of Fischer’s federal lawsuit. Court records show that Yu no counterclaims have been filed to justify such financial demand.

Over the past year, Benson Fischer has filed four Peace Order petitions (restraining orders) and obtained temporary court orders directing Yu to cease his online activity referencing Fischer and ZivZo and to remove all related posts. According to the complaint, to secure a permanent order Yu must be served by a process server or a local Sheriff’s Department, and service has been attempted nearly 30 times without success.

Dennis Yu’s Pattern of Behavior

The Maryland complaint alleges what it characterizes as a “pattern of behavior” by Yu involving other individuals and legal professionals. Fischer’s complaint references a separate case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 9:25-cv-80391), which the Maryland complaint describes as similar in nature.

According to the Maryland complaint, in the Florida case, Yu was alleged to have engaged in similar conduct involving Lisa T. Miller and her legal counsel, including former State Attorney Dave Aronberg and attorney L.A. Perkins. The Maryland complaint alleges that, as in the Fischer matter, the Florida case involved allegations that Yu purchased domains containing the attorneys’ names.

CASE INFORMATION

U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
ZivZo, LLC & Benson J. Fischer v. Dennis Yu
Case No. 8:25-CV-02075-PX