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LOUISIANA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

President of Zulu seeks $74K for alleged Facebook slander

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NEW ORLEANS –The famed Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club and its president are suing a New Orleans man for alleged slander and defamation of both the club and its leadership on Facebook and his own website.

The Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club Inc., and its president, Naaman Stewart, filed suit against Jeffrey Pipes Guice in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court last November.

The plaintiff asserts that the defendant falsely claimed on his site that "during Naaman Stewart's time as President of Zulu, the organization is fallen behind, as much as two years with their float rental vendors."

Additionally, the plaintiff says that the defendant could have verified his claims with ease as an associate member of the organization. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs specifically noted an article entitled: "A Concern for the Future of Zulu?" posted on the website of Jeffrey Guice on Nov. 3.

Another example of the alleged slander concerned the actions of President Stewart, saying that he broke custom in not taking a vote from membership with regards to the setup of a recent Zulu ball, instead just "delivering the order."

The plaintiff alleges that the defendant lied, embarrassed, and harmed the reputation of the plaintiff and the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club through his articles.

The plaintiff seeks $74,000 in damages for emotional distress, loss of their good name and reputation, loss of revenue from potential float riders and loss of sponsorship monies due to the defendant's malicious, intentional, and willful disregard for the truth of the petitioners' reputation in the community.

The plaintiff also seeks a temporary restraining order immediately to stop the defendant from posting via the internet or any other means of publication defaming petitioners.

The plaintiff is represented by Danatus N. King of Danatus N. King and Associates of New Orleans and The Law Offices of Kenya Jamar Rounds LLC of New Orleans.

This case has been assigned to Division I judge Piper D. Griffin.

Case no. 2014-10706.

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