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“The focus has always been who was behind this, and any next step from there — whether it’s civil action or whether it’s not — is almost secondary to really digging into the truth.”

Neither Blackridge associates nor any legal representatives were in court Friday.

“The respondents did not serve and file responding materials as required,” Mitchell wrote in her ruling.

But Blackridge communications director Laura Blondeau responded to questions in an e-mail from The Free Press on Friday afternoon, saying the company “had no reason to attend.”

“It would fall to a client to determine whether he or she wanted to contest a court order that would expose their identity. Clients would be aware of these options and proceed accordingly. Blackridge had no reason to attend,” she wrote.

As for whether the political strategy firm would comply with the order, Blondeau wrote: “Absolutely. We respect and obey the law.”

Blackridge was involved in election campaigns for a dozen city council and school board candidates, including Ward 5 candidate Randy Warden, who challenged Cassidy, and Ward 10 Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen, who defeated Ridley.

Both men have denied direct knowledge of the websites against their competitors, pointing instead to campaign workers.

Van Meerbergen ally Barry Phillips claimed responsibility for the site against Ridley, admitting to paying $1,000 of his own money to Blackridge to highlight her voting record on bus rapid transit. But he said the firm went rogue in creating such a pointed attack, of which he said he had no knowledge until the website went live in October 2018.