NEW ORLEANS – A lawsuit has been filed against a man who distributed flyers with allegedly defamatory statements about plaintiff's attorney and former interim Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Val Exnicios and the English Turn neighborhood Board of Directors.
Jack Sutton, Bart Farris, Exnicios and Sandra Tate filed suit against Scott Taranto in Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
The plaintiffs claim that on Jan. 17, the defendant personally and through his agents distributed to an estimated 300-plus homes throughout the English Turn community a flyer titled “Val Is Not Your Pal” which they say is defamatory to all directors serving on the English Turn Property Owners Association (ETPOA), board, four of which are the plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs contend the flyer asserted through false and defamatory statements and assertions that they were attempting to “bamboozle” their neighbors and fellow property owners in the English Turn. The plaintiffs also contend that the flyer utilized words that tended to harm the reputations of the plaintiffs.
In the suit, they say that the penalty for defamation is up to six months imprisonment and a fine up to $500 for each and every defamation offense.
At least $50,000 in damages is being sought, exclusive of interest and costs.
The plaintiffs are represented by Exnicios.
The case has been assigned to Division C Judge Sidney H. Cates IV.
Case no. 2015-3784.