Man Says Women’s Magazine Defamed Him

MONTREAL (CN) - A Quebec man claims the women's lifestyle magazine "Chatelaine" defamed him by publishing his picture in an article titled "Men Who Kill Their Wives." "Chatelaine" is published monthly by Canadian communications giant Rogers Communications.

Normand Michaud says he works as teacher for the Marie-Victorin School Board and describes himself as "dedicated to the cause of rehabilitating people with behavioral disorders."

According to the lawsuit in Quebec Superior Court, Michaud entered into a contract with the production company Les Productions Point De Mire, also a defendant, to make a documentary called "Men In Distress."

Michaud says the production company hired photographer and co-defendant Martine Doucet to photograph him for the documentary, and he was surprised when he found a January 2009 article in "Chatelaine" with one of the pictures taken by Doucet.

Michaud says the article, written by defendant Maude Goyer, explores an unrelated documentary about men who kill their wives and children. Michaud claims the photo shows a contorted upper body shot of a troubled-looking man but does not name him as the individual pictured.

Michaud claims Doucet "illegally sold his picture in favor of Chatelaine, Rogers and Goyer, leading the public to believe that the person pictured had killed his wife or would be the type of person to kill his wife."

Michaud says he did not give Doucet consent to publish his picture in the article and that the production company was negligent in allowing his picture to be used.

The article in "Chatelaine"'s French-language version, is attributed to Maude Goyer and names Doucet as photographer. Michaud seeks $150,000 in damages.

He is represented by Audet F.G. et Associes.

The lawsuit is in French.

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