Real Estate Blogger Sued for $25 Million
It had to happen sooner or later – a real estate blogger was sued in Florida for $25 million.
Lucas Lechuga had a bad day.
First he was sued for $25 Million by a Florida developer who didn’t like what Lucas had to say about one of his developments and felt defamed by information published in Lucas’s blog about Miami Condo Investments. (I’d give you a link to the site but it’s been taken down).
Then he was fired by his employing broker at EWM.
You can view the full CBS Report by clicking on Florida Real Estate Blogger Sued for $25 million.
Just one more reason why you should attend SMM Camp 3 – Blogging on March 25 (online and free)
P.S. – This story is a few years old but the lesson to be learned is very relevant Today!
I tried to find the original post but the site appears to be down or has been removed.
This story is really old news Ross. It does make you pay attention to the ramifications of speaking badly about someone else though.
Hi Bill,
The story is about 2 years old but the lesson is timeless (especially when you want to promote a real estate camp about blogging – LOL).
Being sued is one thing, winning is another… “felt defamed by information published in Lucas’s blog” so the Florida developer felt bad what were the real damages? I’ve see other bloggers sued; typically the case is tossed out. But without seeing the post it hard to tell what will happen. It is a freedom of speech thing…
This is one to keep an eye on…
Great find Ross! Too bad he had to use the word Bankruptcy in his blog which was false and might be considered malicious. The Realtor in his interview acted like the word wasn’t a Legal basis, which it is. Wonder what the turn out will be, I seriously need an RSS feed on this one. Best ~John
This is a relatively old story so I’ll spend some time tracking down the end result and give some feedback.
I challenge all free roaming real estate bloggers to write a couple choice things about that Florida developer jerk for suing the blogger, and put your posts in untouchable locations so he can’t do a thing about it. Show him what we are made of!
FYI – if you want to view the blog posts that were removed, just check Google Cache. Here are the direct links:
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:uL6LQrSHGVIJ:www.miamicondoinvestments.com/2007/11/25/closings-to-begin-at-opera-tower-very-soon/+opera+tower+closings+to+begin+in+september&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:cW8_UBurKjcJ:www.miamicondoinvestments.com/2007/07/15/opera-tower-closings-to-begin-in-september/+opera+tower+closings+to+begin+in+september&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Before we send out the lynch mob please note that this story is about 2 years old – although the lessons are still very relevant today.
Seems like a no-brainer to me. The blogger didn’t get his facts straight and now he’s being called on the carpet for it. To state an opinion is one thing, but to make the claim (maybe other claims) the developer went bankrupt is another thing.
OOOOOOOOOOLD news! but I see Bill Gassett has already said “old news. 2007? or 2008?
Or was there a new development…in the story?
I’ve not heard of this story, but I wonder the amount of influence a blog or the blogger could have on the development, unless the agent was followed and worshipped by many. To justify $25mil, everyone lost in that deal, from the broker letting go of an influential agent, to developer and reputation, to the agent with money and job.
I have maintained a blog at one point and soon will be returning. It was composed of adventure stories we experienced in our market, and I would change the names to not point anyone out. Never in negative nature against anyone, just crazy stories that defied what my clients saw on TV.
Like I said – posts are old but will have new content this month (we’re cleaning house).
Mario | Four Daughters Real Estate
The case was dismissed by the plaintiff who had a case with no merits. You can look it up on the court docket.
We all need to be careful in our blogging but never allow fear to keep you from blogging. Never allow fear to keep you from being a realtor either, an occupation that is one that is very litigious. Just make sure you don’t say untruths about others, but you can certainly state your opinion.
Opera Tower LLC v. Lechuga, No. 2008-3086-CA-01 (Fla. Cir. Ct., Miami-Dade County filed Jan. 22, 2008).
Status: Dismissed by plaintiff
The developer of the Opera Tower condominium sued Miami real estate agent and blogger Lucas Lechuga for statements on the Miami Condo Investments blog (http://blog.miamicondoinvestments.com/) about the project. The blog initially stated that several contracts for sale of apartments in Opera Tower were likely to not close, and that developer Tibor Hollo had filed for bankruptcy in the 1980s. After the suit was filed, that blog entry was removed and a modified version posted. Lechuga’s employer, Miami real estate firm Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, was also named as a defendant; the firm fired Lechuga after the suit was filed. In January 2009, the plaintiff dropped the case.
Thanks Katerina – it’s really helpful to have the results of the legal action.
I’m not suprised the case was dropped.
Ross, regardless how old the story is or whether or not the case was dropped, bloggers need to be aware that facts need to be presented or opinions need to be identified. It is not real hard to write “In my Opinion”.
Regardless of what your reasons for blogging is, once it is out there, the damage is done.
“In my opinion” does not cover you. They scare you with the lawsuit, which you HAVE to defend. A deep-pocketed developer could wrap you up and break you in legal fees; thus, they win.
That’s the reality.
This is a really old topic, tho. There has only been this instance of this.
I do not think that the court will condemn the blogger for defaming a Florida developer. And if it will, it will be a first.