NEW ORLEANS – A businesswoman is seeking damages over allegations several individuals made false statements that resulted in the denial of an alcohol permit.
Tracy Riley and The Rouge House LLC filed a suit against Robert Watters, French Quarter Management District, Adrence M. Monroe, Daniel Altenloh, Diana Canahuati, Edward Shedlock, Louis Faust, Martin Doherty, Rami Freij, Jeremy Deblieux, Rosoliano Todaro, Lydia Frazier, Brian Furness, French Quarter Business Association and Robert Rizzuto in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on June 10.
According to the claim, the plaintiff and her company, The Rouge House, signed a lease for a business to operate out of 300 Decatur St. in June 2013. The suit states that beginning in July 2013, the defendants began to publish defamatory statements about the plaintiff's business practices and her business in the form of false affidavits to the Alcohol and Tobacco Control, which caused their alcohol permit to be denied. The suit states that these allegations included that the Rouge House operated as night club instead of a supper club, encouraged public nuisance, engaged in loitering and other counts.
The defendants are accused of defamation and causing harm to the plaintiff and her business.
The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. She is representing herself.
The case has been assigned to Division M Judge Paulette R. Irons.
Orleans Parish Civil District Court Case number 2016-5916