Following a series of alleged defamatory statements, talk show host Shelly-Ann Curran has been sued by the former CEO of Stocks & Securities Limited (SSL), Mark Croskery.
The massive, multibillion-dollar fraud within SSL gained national coverage, with clients such as former sprinter Usain Bolt listed as one of accused fraudster Jean-Ann Panton’s victims. The media’s attention soon turned to the company’s former executives, who were seemingly ignorant of Panton’s theft.
Croskery denied having knowledge of any unscrupulous activities during his time at the brokerage firm. According to Croskery’s lawsuit, despite having no connection to the crime, Curran defamed him in a series of videos and tweets posted on her social media accounts in January. The suit was filed on Friday in the Supreme Court after Curran reportedly ignored demands for a retraction and an apology and referred to the retraction dismissively in another social media post.
“The said words published by the defendant on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, on or about January 23, deceptively juxtaposed my client to an ongoing national scandal which was alleging fraud by persons with the same family name as him, but with whom he was no longer involved in any business,” Croskery’s attorney, Monique Morrison stated in the lawsuit.
The defamation suit alleges that the posts caused damage to the businessman’s reputation and that he “suffered mental pain and anguish and was put through considerable trouble and anxiety.” Croskery is seeking damages for defamation, negligence, aggravated damages, as well as legal costs and interest.
Curran was reportedly unaware of the lawsuit and told the Jamaica Gleaner that she would have her attorney check on the matter. According to the Gleaner, Curran indicated that the alleged defamatory Twitter post was a retweet.
On January 23, Curran made multiple posts referencing Croskery on her Instagram, some of which were reposts from other users while others were made by the talk show host. In one post, Curran shared a news report of Croskery’s warning that he would take legal action against defamatory statements made in the media.
“Mark you suppose to sue … cause when the investors done wid you a only your polo brief going leave,” Curran stated in the post’s caption.
Curran also indicated that the police were searching for Croskery in a post featuring a map of St. Lucia. In a repost taken from another account, Croskery was declared a fugitive.
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