Theriot v. Does
NOTE: The information and commentary contained in this database entry are based on court filings and other informational sources that may contain unproven allegations made by the parties. The truthfulness and accuracy of such information is likely to be in dispute.
Posted May 12th, 2010 by CMLP Staff
SummaryThreat Type: Lawsuit Date: 05/07/2010
Status: Concluded Location: Louisiana
Disposition: Dismissed (total) Verdict/Settlement Amount: n/a
Legal Claims: Defamation
On May 7, 2010, the Parish of Jefferson in Louisiana and its interim President, Steve Theriot, filed a lawsuit in state court against unnamed Does for defamation. According to the Complaint, the Does "systematically published messages on the Internet using... read full description
PartiesParty Issuing Legal Threat: Party Receiving Legal Threat:
Parish of Jefferson; Steve Theriot John Does 1-100
Type of Party: Type of Party:
Individual; Government Individual
Location of Party: Location of Party:
Louisiana
Legal Counsel: Legal Counsel:
M. Nan Alessandra, David M. Korn, Phelps Dunbar LLP
Description
On May 7, 2010, the Parish of Jefferson in Louisiana and its interim President, Steve Theriot, filed a lawsuit in state court against unnamed Does for defamation. According to the Complaint, the Does "systematically published messages on the Internet using the forums and blogs on Nola.com and Slabbed.wordpress.com," which comments were allegedly defamatory. (Complaint ¶ 5) The Complaint alleges that the defamatory material included statements "that members of Jefferson Parish Government such as Mr. Theriot are unethical and deceitful." (Complaint ¶ 6) The Complaint seeks "[d]amages for embarrassment and emotional suffering[; . . . d]amages for loss of personal reputation; [. . . and d]amages for loss of business opportunity," as well as costs and attorneys' fees.
The same day the Complaint was filed, Plaintiffs issued a subpoena to New Orleans Net LLC, the operator of the Nola.com website, seeking the identities of the posters using 11 Nola.com screen names.
UPDATE: According to news reports, Theriot has dismissed the lawsuit.
