Realtor Lucas Lechuga runs a popular real estate blog called Miami Condo Investments. After running a negative post on a high profile Miami property, Opera Tower, Lucas and his former firm were hit with a lawsuit by the developer for the incredible sum of $25 million. I say former firm because Lucas was terminated yesterday as a result of the lawsuit.
The story has been in the news – take a look at this CBS video clip, and this report from UPI. You’ll be seeing more in the near future. To read Lucas’ take on the situation, click here.
Why am I writing about this? Two reasons.
First, the case has major implications for business bloggers. Laws pertaining to blog content and defamation are murky at best. How cases like this are settled will determine to what degree bloggers are free to express themselves, and to what standards we will be held accountable. In this case, I don’t think there even is a case, but regardless of the outcome, all business bloggers need to monitor how laws are evolving so they can craft appropriate editorial guidelines.
Second, I know Lucas personally, having had the opportunity to meet him last fall and discuss the world of blogging. Just as you might expect of a blogger, Lucas is bright, outspoken, and totally transparent. He credited the success of his blog to his willingness to tell it like it is. I’d hate to see him punished for that.
According to the UPI report, the lawsuit alleges Lucas and his firm engaged in a “smear campaign.” Based on my conversation with Lucas, I find that extremely hard to believe. Lucas himself, as you can see from his blog, feels no angst about his motives. And on the subject of motives, you have to wonder if the developer would be suing for $25 million had Lucas not gone to work for a company owned by Warren Buffet after writing the post in question.
Brad,
This is pretty sad and won’t bode well for business bloggers (and maybe other bloggers, as well?) if it’s allowed to stand as a precedent-setting case. What a shame that Lechuga’s employer didn’t back him up. After all, they’re no doubt still being sued, regardless. (Of course, I haven’t read the original blog post, but I trust your judgment enough to believe that it likely reflects an unfair situation for this particular real estate blogger.)
Jeanne
Phew, scary stuff Brad. Thanks for sharing the info & your perspectives with us
Joanna
Hi Jeanne, Joanna, It wouldn’t surprise me if many cases similar to this are in the courts. The amount of the lawsuit is what’s making this stand out. Cases like these are complex, and there’s always a lot of information we don’t know, so it’s difficult to draw conclusions from what actions are being taken or not taken.
Very true, Brad. We’ll just have to wait and see what comes of it.
Jeanne
Nice article on Brad. Thank you for mentioning the fansite too.