Johanne Miucci Vachon, Eliza Ghazarian, and Dr. James Wainberg have filed a defamation lawsuit against Peter Pani in the Circuit Court for the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on February 5, 2025. The plaintiffs accuse Pani of making false and defamatory statements that have damaged their reputations within their community.
The case centers around an email sent by Pani on April 2, 2024, to members of the Atlantic Cloisters Community—a condominium association where all parties own property. In this email, Pani accused Eliza Ghazarian of refusing to return a crucial sprinkler map that she allegedly took during her husband’s tenure as Treasurer before he was recalled. He further claimed that this refusal resulted in thousands of dollars in missed repairs and left the community's landscaping in disarray. Additionally, Pani alleged that Johanne Vachon failed to return $2,000 worth of computer and IT equipment after being recalled from her position as President of the Association.
The plaintiffs assert these claims are false and have been made with malice. They argue that Eliza never took possession of any map; rather, she initiated a project to protect the irrigation system but abandoned it when deemed unfeasible. Similarly, they contend that Johanne did not take or refuse to return any assets belonging to the Association. Furthermore, James Wainberg is accused without basis of leading an "ill-fated regime" during his time as Treasurer.
According to the complaint, Pani's statements were made without privilege or duty and were distributed excessively throughout the community. The plaintiffs argue these actions constitute libel per se—statements so damaging they inherently harm one's reputation—and have exposed them to ridicule and distrust among their neighbors.
In response to these allegations, Johanne Miucci Vachon seeks judgment against Pani for libel per se with demands for actual and presumed damages along with court costs. She also reserves the right to pursue punitive damages should the court permit it under Florida Statute 768.79. Eliza Ghazarian and Dr. James Wainberg are pursuing similar reliefs through separate counts for both libel per se and defamation per quod—claims requiring proof of actual damage due to defamatory innuendo.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Keith T. Grumer from Grumer Law, P.A., based in Weston, Florida. The Case ID is: 502025CA001102XXXAMB Div: AD.