NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans resident is suing a California man who was a co-member of the North American Telugu Association (NATA) for allegedly using a newsletter to defame both the organization and his reputation.
Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy filed suit against Nageshwar Rao Ankamma in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on April 24.
The plaintiff states that he served as president of NATA, an organization with the purpose of preserving and maintaining the Telugu culture, language, and heritage and organizing public events, festivals, and banquets for the Telugu community residing in the United States of America. Telugu is a language predominantly located in Southern India.
The plaintiff claims that the defendant obtained an organizational membership list as a member of NATA and then retained his copy following his public resignation in 2013. Beginning in 2014, the defendant is accused of circulating a newsletter discussing personal lawsuits of his in California and using the newsletter to make derogatory statements and insults against Nata's membership as a whole, as well as leadership and particularly Dr. Reddy. The defendant also allegedly claimed in an email sent to the group that the organization committed electoral fraud in selecting its leadership.
The plaintiff claims that those assertions were totally false.
The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount in damages for mental anguish and distress.
The plaintiff is represented by David W. Nance of New Orleans-based David W. Nance Law Firm LLC.
This case has been assigned to Div. M Judge Paulette R. Irons.
Case no. 2015-03943.
Man sues for alleged defamation via newsletter
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