Trial News
Verdicts & Settlements: Intentional Torts
False advertising leads to negative publicity for models
May 7, 2020Joy Dorfman, the president of Velvet Lifestyles, LLC, and My Three Yorkies, LLC, purportedly operated a private club in Miami that catered to “swingers” couples who engaged in open relationships. The companies allegedly downloaded and used images of professional model Jaime Edmondson and 31 other models to promote club activities, implying in some instances that the models would be present at club activities and parties. The models experienced negative publicity and damage to their careers.
Edmondson and others sued Velvet Lifestyles, Dorfman, and My Three Yorkies, alleging false advertising in violation of the Lanham Act.
The court granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs on liability. The jury awarded $892,500, including $32,500 to Edmondson. The trial court subsequently denied the defendants’ posttrial motion to vacate.
Citation: Edmondson v. Velvet Lifestyles, LLC, No. 1:15-cv-24442-JEM (S.D. Fla. Mar. 2020).
Plaintiff counsel: Naim Surgeon, Lawrence Silverman, and Diane Fischer, all of Miami.
