Top Twitch streamer files defamation lawsuit against fellow streamers

AUSTIN (KXAN) — One of the biggest names on Twitch is taking legal action against two other high-profile streamers and several gaming companies.

Matthew Rinaudo, known to millions online as Mizkif, has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Emily Beth Schunk, known online as "Emiru"; Zack Hoyt, known online as "Asmongold"; and three companies: OTK Media Inc., Mythic Talent Management Inc., and King Gaming Labs Inc.

According to the complaint, most parties involved are based in the Austin area.

KXAN has reached out to the defendants involved in the complaint. We will update this story when we hear back.

The lawsuit stems from allegations made by Schunk during an Oct. 24 livestream, where she accused Rinaudo of "psychological and domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, sexual assault, and threats of blackmail."

The filing further alleges that Hoyt, repeatedly called Rinaudo an “aggressor and abuser” during his own livestreams, amplifying the accusations to millions of viewers.

Rinaudo claims these statements are false and have caused significant harm to his reputation and career.

Shortly after the livestream, OTK Media — co-founded by Rinaudo — sent him a termination letter citing “the nature of Emiru’s allegations” and announced it was reclaiming more than 1 million shares of company stock without compensation.

The complaint asserts that no contractual breaches occurred. Mythic Talent and King Gaming Labs also claimed breaches and demanded Rinaudo owed more than $600,000 to Mythic for "management fees."

Rinaudo is seeking damages for reputational harm, lost earnings and emotional distress. The exact amount of monetary damages has not been disclosed.