ORLANDO (CN) - Model Chantel Jeffries, who was in Justin Bieber's Lamborghini when the singer was caught drag racing in Miami and arrested on a DUI charge, claims in court that the New York Daily News defamed her.
Jeffries sued the Daily News in Orange County Court. The 21-year-old model claims the newspaper falsely accused her of having an extensive "rap sheet," including five arrests.
According to the lawsuit, the Daily News' Jan. 23 stories stated, inter alia: "Model [Chantel Jeffries] has long criminal record ... The sexy blond ... is no stranger to trouble ... Chantel Jeffries' rap sheet lists five arrests ..." (Brackets and ellipses in complaint.)
Two days later, the News "continued to defame Jeffries by publishing an article which accused Jeffries of being the mastermind behind a well-known celebrity's alleged illegal activities," the complaint states.
Jeffries said she has not been arrested five times and she is not the "mastermind" behind any criminal acts.
"The statements about Jeffries were falsely, maliciously and intentionally published by NYDN and were known by NYDN to be false at the time they were made," the complaint states. "NYDN published these statements negligently, or with actual malice and with the intent to cause harm to Jeffries."
She seeks damages for defamation, libel to her personal and professional reputation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
She is represented by Andrew Felix, with Morgan & Morgan.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.
Additional Reads
-
Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines April 17, 2024 -
-
Contributor-Test-Post-2024-04-12 April 12, 2024 -
