Photographer Keron Bruce has filed a $200 million suit against social media personality Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as “Guyanese Critic,” for what he said were defamatory statements made about him.
Bruce (the Claimant), deposes in his action that Rodrigues (the Defendant) made several false and defamatory statements about him during a Facebook live post which attracted more than 33,000 views.
The main thrust of Bruce’s complaints surrounds allegations he levels against Rodrigues for claiming that he (Bruce) is the online persona “mud-wata;” who the police have recently been seeking.
The claimant disputes ever having a conversation claimed by Rodrigues regarding the online persona; and says that the defendant made the libelous statement about him “for the sole purpose of increasing views, followers and reactions and his own personal clout.”
“The Claimant and the character mudwata are not one and the same person,” Bruce said in his statement of claim.
Through his attorneys Anastasia Sanford and Tamieka Clarke, Bruce said that the several statements made by Rodrigues have caused irrevocable damage to his reputation and has subjected him to public ridicule, contempt, hatred and embarrassment and has brought his career into disrepute.
Bruce said that because of the recent statements, his 16-year-old son is also suffering, and has been the recipient of ridicule as well as bullying from his peers.
Bruce said that because of the statements, he was immediately suspended from his duties as a photographer with the Miss World Organization, while stating that his reputation is critical to his profession as a photographer.
He said that the statements have no basis in fact, are malicious and grossly inaccurate. Bruce said he is concerned that those statements may cause the police to lay a charge against him; while adding that he is fearful, since the defendant has said he would show up at his (Bruce’s) house to do a live video reiterating that he (Bruce) and ‘mud-wata’ are one and the same persons.
Bruce said that statements made by Rodrigues are calculated for the defendant to gain followers and increase his views for monetary gains, but advances that they may also create apprehension in the public at large and reputable organizations such as the Miss World Organization, towards the claimant.
Bruce said he is so fearful for his life that he has hired a 24-hour security service for himself and family.
The claimant is seeking a declaration that the Facebook posts made by Rodrigues were defamatory and wants him to publicly apologize.
In addition, he is asking the Court to grant a permanent injunction restraining Rodrigues—whether by himself, representatives, and agents or otherwise—from publishing or causing to be published the statements; or anything similar thereto.
Bruce wants special damages of not less than $100,000,000 and damages for libel of not less than $50,000,000; as well as aggravated and exemplary damages of no less than the same amount.
He is also asking for costs and any further order the Court deems just to grant.
