Fashion designer sues blogger for defamation

Filipino fashion designer Rodolfo “Puey” Quiñones Jr. has filed a defamation complaint before a California court against a blogger who he said made numerous defamatory statements against him.

In a 15-page complaint filed on March 1, Quiñones asked the Superior Court of the State of California at the County of Los Angeles to direct Maharlika of Boldyak TV to pay him compensatory damages in the amount of at least $2 million, among others.

“Quiñones is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that the aforementioned acts of defendant were willful, oppressive, fraudulent, and/or malicious,” the complaint read.

“Defendant’s conduct in publishing the false statements about Quiñones, with knowledge of their falsity, for the express purpose of harming Quiñones is intentional and despicable,” it added.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Maharlika on Facebook but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

According to the complaint, Maharlika claimed that Quiõnes has a record of scamming clients and swindling the FIlipino people, forcing high society clients to disassociate themselves from him, Quiõnes said.

They stopped purchasing his designs in order to not harm their own reputations, he added.

In a statement, Qiuñones said the accusations greatly impacted him, his business, his reputation, and his life.

“Your ruthless remarks have caused permanent, harmful, and devastating consequences to our client and his company. Your claims are baseless and are built upon your hate for our client rather than tangible facts,” Payam Tavakoli, a lawyer for Quiñones, said.

— LA, GMA Integrated News