On February 27, 2024, a defamation lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Luke G. Sahs against Loyola University New Orleans. The complaint alleges multiple counts including defamation, defamation per se, defamation by implication, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, vicarious liability, and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.
Luke G. Sahs, a college student residing in Miami, Florida, claims that defamatory statements published online by Loyola University New Orleans severely damaged his personal and professional reputation. The case revolves around an article published on March 2, 2023, in The Maroon—the university's student newspaper—which reported that Sahs was arrested for possessing chemical materials capable of killing people and making terroristic threats.
The plaintiff alleges that these statements were false and maliciously intended to harm his character. According to the complaint, Sahs was arrested on March 2, 2023, at Loyola’s dining hall following a misdemeanor stalking complaint filed by fellow student Morgan Matteson. The arrest was accompanied by a search of Sahs' dormitory room by New Orleans police officers and Loyola University Police Officers; no dangerous materials were found.
Sahs contends that the defamatory statements have caused him significant social ostracization and emotional distress. He states that his friends in Miami distanced themselves from him due to the accusations linking him to terrorism. Furthermore, he received a suspension letter from Loyola University on March 3, 2023—one day after the publication—citing violations related to weapons possession based on information allegedly received from faculty during a school trip to Honduras.
The lawsuit details how Professor Corroll Frank Jordan Jr., who led the Honduras trip where Sahs and Matteson participated as divers, did not witness any threatening behavior or comments from Sahs. Additionally, interviews conducted by a private investigator with other students and Sahs’ dormitory roommate corroborated that they never saw or heard anything suggesting Sahs had dangerous materials or made threats.
Sahs’ attorney Elizabeth B. Carpenter sent multiple cease-and-desist letters to Loyola officials demanding retraction of the defamatory statements. Although The Maroon later modified the original article and removed some defamatory content on March 17, 2023, it still falsely implied criminal conduct by stating “The affidavit claimed Sahs was in possession of chemical materials that can be used to kill people.”
The plaintiff is seeking relief through compensatory damages for reputational harm and emotional distress as well as punitive damages for willful misconduct by Loyola University New Orleans. The case underscores significant lapses in verifying information before publication and raises questions about institutional responsibilities towards student welfare.
Representing Luke G. Sahs is attorney Elizabeth B. Carpenter Esq., while Sharonda R. Williams serves as General Counsel for Loyola University New Orleans. The case has been assigned Civil Action No.: 1:24-cv-20747 with Judge Susie Morgan presiding over the proceedings.