'Times-Picayune' Sued for Defamation (Nicolas Estiverne)

[struggle4progress]

Published: August 12, 2005 5:17 PM ET

NEW ORLEANS (AP) <snip>
Nicolas Estiverne who once ran for civil court judge in Orleans Parish and twice ran for president of Haiti says they defamed him and caused him public humiliation and embarrassment in a May story about a theft case in which he later pleaded guilty. <snip>

A story published May 31 by the newspaper, The Times-Picayune, reported that Estiverne was facing trial on one count of exploitation of the infirm for allegedly taking over the finances of an elderly and ailing woman in 1997 and draining $122,000 from her accounts by the time she died in 1999.

In his lawsuit targeting the newspaper and reporters Keith O'Brien and Susan Finch, Estiverne claims that the newspaper's story was false, and that Charles Plattsmier, the chief disciplinary counsel, wrongly released board records to The Times-Picayune and slandered him with statements made to reporters. Estiverne also makes claims for violation of privacy, infliction of mental distress, defamation, malicious publication and public humiliation and embarrassment.

On July 25, Estiverne pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft, averting trial on the felony charge. Criminal District Judge Ben Willard gave Estiverne a suspended six-month sentence and two years probation and ordered him to make restitution in an amount to be determined in a civil trial. <snip>

http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001014400

[MnFats]

1. that one will go no where. truth is an absolute defense ...

...against libel.
...he should just put it behind him, instead of keeping it in the news for months longer...

[ShockediSay]

2. Agreed, will go nowhere, besides he's a public figure

and must prove 'malice' .... publication in reckless disregard of the truth. Reporting what court documents allege is about as ironclad as you can get.