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FLORIDA RECORD

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Plaintiff accuses Defendant of Defamation over Business Dealings

State Court
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Shawn Crane, Chief Judge FL 6th Judicial Circuit Pinellas Count | https://ghs.pasco.k12.fl.us/

Harris & Company, Inc., a Florida-based corporation, has filed a lawsuit against an individual for defamation and tortious interference with prospective business relationships. The complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on November 1, 2024. The defendant is accused of publishing false statements that have damaged Harris & Company's professional reputation.

The legal battle stems from a previous contractual relationship between Harris & Company and Dadlani NC Realty LLC. On June 15, 2019, both parties entered into an Exclusive Right to Lease Agreement granting Harris & Company the exclusive right to lease space at a property owned by Dadlani located at 2600 East Bay Drive in Largo, Florida. However, despite finding a suitable tenant, Dadlani refused to sign the lease or pay the agreed commission to Harris & Company. This led to a breach of contract lawsuit filed by Harris on June 10, 2020. A final judgment was rendered in favor of Harris on November 2, 2020.

Despite settling this judgment with an agreement that included payment and removal of defamatory comments from social media by Dadlani, issues resurfaced when Dadlani allegedly republished a defamatory Google Review on February 7, 2024. The review falsely claimed that "they [Harris] will cheat you on the commission and then take you to court," which Harris argues has caused significant harm to their business reputation.

Harris & Company contends that these statements constitute defamation per se and were made with either reckless disregard or negligence towards damaging their professional standing. The plaintiff emphasizes that their success heavily relies on maintaining a good reputation as an efficient real estate broker. Consequently, they are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for defamation and tortious interference with prospective business relationships.

Additionally, Harris is pursuing punitive damages and costs associated with the case. They also seek injunctive relief requiring Dadlani to remove the defamatory review and prohibit further dissemination of false statements about them. Harris asserts there is no adequate remedy at law and highlights the public interest in ensuring such misleading information is corrected.

Representing Harris & Company in this legal matter is attorney J.A. Harrow from Tampa, Florida. The case identification number is Case No:24-0048 12-CI.

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