DISQUS

tali · 1 year ago

depends - did speak in his blog as an industry insider? if so, yes, he should be held responsible for the truth of his statements. like a blogger who claims he is a doctor, then announces arsenic makes your children smarter.

sbspalding · 1 year ago

The blog post has been removed, I am not certain what the tone of the article was. Though, the suit -seems- to be focused on the defamation claim (i.e. the Bankruptcy issue).

Lapp · 1 year ago

It is absurb that someone should be sued for this kind of slander. There is something in this country that I believe is called Freedom of Speech and that is what the web is all about. It is about letting people share their own reviews and opinions. The developer should face the facts that he made a poor choice in this building and not take it out on someone who was keeping the public informed!

Craig (lapp) · 1 year ago

Tali, even as an insider can't people say what they feel?

Diety · 1 year ago

I can't imagine it could happen in Europe. You have serious issues with your judicial system. 25mln $ for a blog ? That's insane!

jarrodmorgan · 1 year ago

Come on steve... thats what they do in the real estate biz... they sue each other. (See previous howtosplitanatom post "Realtorclix Served Cease and Desist For Trademark Violation")

sbspalding · 1 year ago

Well that goes without saying.

mike · 1 year ago

I think that the complaintant has a point if the blog really did say that the company had gone bankrupt and they did not. That's not opinion; that would be a matter that can be objectively determined. But the suit would also have to show that this misstatement is injurous to the complaintant's business and that there is malicious intent. (In the US, libel can be hard to prove because you have to show that the libeler was deliberately being mean.) There's a case to be made for that here -- why would the blogger post the information/opnion if not to specifically have a detrminental effect on the plaintiff? -- but it would be up to a court to decide.

PS I'm not a lawyer, so this is all opinion. :-)

PPS The amount that a plaintiff initially sues for is just, you know, an opening gambit, as with any negotiation.

New Home Marketing · 1 year ago

Real Estate Marketing at it's finest...

Can anybody think of a better way to get free national press covereage?

labstinia · 1 year ago

Seems silly. The original blog post was probably seen by a couple dozen people. Now with the grand standing lawsuit the story has gone viral and everybody knows about some guy in Miami who has trouble with his real estate deals. The story will never die it will be around forever. The blogger's old company will take it on the chin as well for not sticking up for him. Bad PR moves all around.

The blogger was right in the first place - stay clear of this developer.....

Dan · 1 year ago

This is absurd. This will get thrown out in court.

Isaac · 1 year ago

Maybe Obama should sue Clinton for spreading around that he is Muslim. It may hurt his chances of becoming president, and that's worth way more than 25 mil...

Breckenridge Real Estate · 1 year ago

Seems to me like the equivalent of a production company going after a local newspaper writer for giving an upcoming movie a bad review, then getting sued by the production company for hurting the movie's take at the box office. Absurd if you ask me.

Mmo reviews · 1 year ago

It's absurd that this poor guy is getting sued 25 million for simply blogging. We need to have more open internet laws.

RickNHS · 1 year ago

I personally don't think that anyone's words should be held liable for a company's poor performance (or results). This is America... everyone has the right to free speech, including Lechuga.

This story reminds me of when Oprah was sued by the cattle / livestock industry when she said she would never eat meat again... Absolutely ridiculous.

Dubai property match · 1 year ago

Wow, there are very strict laws in Miami. good that I don't live there :)

Chelle · 1 year ago

That's crazy! I don't know all the details and I guess this is old news, but it's screwed up when freedom of speech can get you in lawsuit!

Home Staging · 1 year ago

This is absurd. How much traffic was this guys blog getting? If the whole of Miami were going to his site for real estate advice and news then maybe they could of slapped him with a small lawsuit but $25million for an opinion is ridiculous. I'm glad I live in Europe where most of the time we can pretty much say what you want.

Property Management Software · 1 year ago

I've been looking for an update on this case. If anyone knows what the outcome was or if this is still pending I'm dying to know. Thanks!

asp_host_boy · 1 year ago

Me and my family we wanted to buy a house as soon as possible, but we will wait to make our investments in real estate. we are very afraid for now.

Tampa Real Estate Agents · 1 year ago

I didnt know that real estate developers can be this touchy.

I think this is the age to be careful and make sure that you dont irritate anyone!

Lenny Gurvich · 1 year ago

If you put an untruth into public domain that can be proven to have caused harm, then you should be held accountable. If you're going to say someone went bankrupt, you better make sure it's fact (my opinion).

sbspalding · 1 year ago

I agree with that in a general sense but libel is a very, very specific
thing and requires that you prove "real damages." I question whether a blog
post, that was -- from what I remember of it -- nonsensational would meet
that criteria.

Financing Owner · 1 year ago

I've been looking for an update on this case...25mln $ for a blog??

real estate · 1 year ago

$25 million seems a bit excessive

Baltimore County Realtor · 1 year ago

Hmmm...I think the salient point here is claiming the bankruptcy. Obviously, there is a very serious negative connotation to that, so if it is indeed untrue, making such a claim is a (legal) problem. Stating that one should be wary of a particular company seems to be no problem at all, however, so there is one simple (but possibly very detrimental) comment that this all revolves around (it would seem). Also, since he's a real estate agent, it's not *exactly* the same thing as a customer or client reviewing a product or service. As a licensed professional, his comments are likely to carry weight, so it's important to tread lightly. All that said, $25 million is obscene and, as many have indicated, speaks volumes about the broken American legal system.

Dieta · 1 year ago

If i would ear 1mln $ i can make 1mnl blog for hour ;) It a lot of money dont you think so?

Sell your house quickly · 9 months ago

I think every one can share their views, there is no stoppage in the freedom of speech. But u need to clarify with the prove so that u can refute Lechuga.

luxury homes Syracuse · 8 months ago

"Tibor says the company never went Bankrupt" Well if he can proof it that his company never went Bankrupt then he has every right to sue Lucas Lechuga for his false post. Lucas Lechuga should pay for his mistake.

Free MMORPG · 5 months ago

$25 million for a blogger warning against doing business with a company? WOW. That's ABSURD

USA Property Investors · 5 months ago

Its Awesome!!
Really liked your post keep more coming...

stagingworks · 5 months ago

Blogger should not be the object to blame regarding with any posts or personal view, no matter saying accurate or otherwise. Real estate takes lots of benefits from such free publication carried out by individual bloggers. Some are paid for ads and doing greatly to publicize the business. Like one where Home Staging Tips is published.

kevluigi · 5 months ago

The video is not working for me.

--
I am hoping on going to the Eiffel Tower and Great Wall of China soon!

seabrook island property · 5 months ago

I can't able to believe it that how it can possible to sue to the tune of $25 Million in his business without any bankrupt.

MMORPG · 4 months ago

This is awesome. wow $25 mil is CRAZy.

Home Inspection NJ · 4 months ago

I thought nobody could be sued for comments made over the internet. Case in point, ripoff report frequently posts content against companies, n\but never gets sued. How is this?

mortgage loan modification · 4 months ago

This is completely bogus! I can't believe for a second that he would be facing a lawsuit for his opinion! This is tatamount to me posting a review of another loan modification company that blatantly scams homeowners and saying, "Watch out for these guys", or doing an online review about a restaurant that I recently visited. Hmm...

Real estate marketing · 3 months ago

If you will post a not proven information this will cause you a lot of trouble.. Like in marketing and advertising.. you need to write the true details of your business..

Tax Foreclosures · 3 months ago

I've been looking for an update on this case. If anyone knows what the outcome was or if this is still pending I'm dying to know. Thanks!
Real Estate Marketing at it's finest...

Real Estate System · 3 months ago

The blog post has been removed, I am not certain what the tone of the article was. Though, the suit -seems- to be focused on the defamation claim

florida keys vacation rentals · 3 months ago

I want to know what is the reason of blogging suit ?

Summit County Real Estate · 2 months ago

Why even bother suing when you know that the plantif does not have the money! So much for freedom of speach and the press. Who did this matter ever turn out?

joanneremaxdr · 1 month ago

Ridiculous amount oif money. A cease and desist would have been sufficient. Just an angry developer (and a willing lawyer) trying to scare the agent.

az vacation rentals · 3 days ago

wow that's big amount of money just for blogging mishaps!