The federal Pro Se Assistance Unit in Rochester, New York received this letter from Luke Wenke on February 17th, 2026. Based on its contents, it seems as though Wenke feels good about the so-called progress of his recently-filed civil case against me. In fact, he’s so encouraged by it that he asked the letter’s recipient for additional forms so he can file more lawsuits.
I’m not sure what’s giving Wenke the impression that the case is underway or that it’s even been approved. From my understanding, the court will first review the petition to decide whether to move forward with the case in the first place.
Wenke also notes in the letter that his $405 filing fee has not been deducted from his jail commissary, which I would interpret as a sign that the paperwork has not gotten past its initial stage. And I haven’t been served with any documents, although this could be due to my limited presence at the address he listed for me.
Luke Wenke also discusses how he’s going to pay the $405 filing fee for his next lawsuit via money order. If he is really capable of coming up with wasting that kind of money on frivolous litigation, maybe he shouldn’t have a free, taxpayer-funded public defender. Of course, I don’t expect the court to do anything about it.
Based on this and Luke Wenke’s previous letter to the court (the latter of which I’ll share in a separate post), one might get the impression that he’s getting impatient — maybe even pushy — about the speed at which he expects the lawsuit to move along. It certainly begs the question of how unhinged he’ll act if the case goes nowhere or does not end in a victory for him.
In the meantime, Wenke remains held on federal remand at the Monroe County Jail in Rochester as he awaits his next court hearing, which is scheduled for March 6th.
Wenke v. Valentine et al. | Letter
February 17th, 2026
CASE #1:26-cv-00181, DOC. #5
To read a “transcribed” version of the letter, scroll past the PDF viewer. 🙂
WENKE v. VALENTINE – Doc. #5 – LetterWenke v. Valentine et al. – Page 1:
“Hello again,
“Thank you for what appears to be the fast efforts taking place in terms of the first paperwork going through for the Pro Se lawsuit against Andrew Clark and Katie [last name]. The $405 is still on my commissary here ready to take. Please take it.
“If I could have you send me another Pro Se packet, I would be appreciative. There are a lot of lawsuits to be had over my 4+ year long circumstances the Robert H Jackson US Courthouse and the Buffalo Federal Public Defender’s Office knows they are very very guilty of. Rochester is innocent.
“I expect the next $405 to come your way via money order. There’s a 10 day gap here at Monroe County Jail in terms of only being allowed to put on $250 to commissary every 10 days. Maybe you can get that changed? But that first $405 is here on my commissary account.
“Thank you in advance,
“-Judge Carolyn Giardini’s oldest grandson
“Former Cattaraugus County Libertarian Chairman Luke Wenke“PS, Magistrate Kenneth Schroeder of Buffalo is a perfectly fine non-conflict of interest for the first Pro Se lawsuit if a Rochester Magistrate is not selected. Fine that US District Judge Vilardo is also involved. I read Associated Press in here. One US District Judge’s decision can change laws nationwide. That’s what we need.”