The Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong, has filed a defamation suit against US-based journalist, Kevin Taylor, and his media organization, Loud Silence Media LLC.
In the suit filed in Virginia in the USA, Kennedy Agyapong is reportedly seeking US$ 9.5 million as damages from Kevin Taylor.
According to a court document filed at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Kennedy Agyapong’s action arises from the false and defamatory statements in a series of videos and an email correspondence published by Kevin Taylor and Loud Silence Media via Facebook, YouTube, and other social media platforms.
“With malice and reckless disregard, Defendants falsely ascribed Plaintiff on several occasions as a criminal. Defendants falsely stated that Plaintiff is a ‘murderer’, ‘drug dealer’ and ‘drug addict’, ‘thief’ and green card fraudster”.
Court Document
The statement in the document indicated that, the false and defamatory statements have caused severe harm to the Plaintiff, [Kennedy Agyapong’s] personal, business, and political reputation.
It noted that Kennedy Agyapong has also suffered severe embarrassment and personal humiliation due to Kevin Taylor’s defamatory statements.
The document revealed that the factual background given in support of the action states among others that the defendants [Kevin Taylor and Loud Silence Media LLC] till date continue to repeat these false and defamatory statements about Plaintiff on their social media platforms.
“Other news outlets or platforms have also shared or republished the Defendants’ false statements”.
Court Document
Defendant’s assertions are false
The suit contended that the “defendant’s factual assertions to the contrary are false,;offensive and damages the reputation of Plaintiff” as an MP. The suit noted that the false assertions are also offensive and damages the reputation of Plaintiff as a reputed entrepreneur and businessman.
“Defendants published the false statements about Plaintiff maliciously and without regard to the truth or falsity of the statements made. Defendants either knew the falsity of those statements or acted in reckless disregard of the truth and chose;to peddle falsehood that Plaintiff is a murderer,;“drug dealer,” immigration fraudster, and a thief”.
Court Document
Kennedy Agyapong’s requested reliefs
On the reliefs being sought by the Assin Central MP,;Kennedy Agyapong is seeking seven reliefs from the commonwealth of Virginia court. First, an injunctive relief prohibiting Defendants,;and each of them, from posting on any media outlet any further defamatory remarks, per se or otherwise. Also
Kennedy Agyapong is also demanding an apology from Defendants’ via and through the same channels Defendants used to defame Plaintiff including LSM social media platforms and email correspondence sent to individuals, including the mayor of Worcester.
“Compensatory damages,;including economic and non-economic damages of at least $9,500,000.000 and punitive damages in the amount of $350,000.00 pursuant to Va. Code § 8.01-38.1”.
Court Document
The fifth, sixth and seventh reliefs Mr Agyapong is seeking are “Attorneys’ fees, or consideration of such fees in determining punitive damages, costs, of this action and disbursements, to the extent permitted by law, Pre- and post-judgment interest; and Such other or further relief as the court deems just”.
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