PITTSBURGH — A realty company is suing a tenant, citing alleged defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Elise Bickel Property Group, c/o Elise Bickel, filed a complaint on Jan. 25 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas against Particia Swanson, alleging the defendant made false, disparaging and harassing comments in regards to the firm.
According to the complaint, on Dec. 2, 2018, Elise Bickel Property Group, c/o Elise Bickel, entered into a written lease with defendant Swanson, wherein defendant leased property and was instructed on how to request repairs while leasing the property.
Plaintiff claims defendant made reports for numerous repairs and responded that she was not satisfied with the renovation of the property. Plaintiff offered to cancel the lease and return defendant's security deposit. Swanson, however, allegedly requested a reduction in rent instead.
According to the lawsuit, defendant has subsequently refused to receive any repairs from her numerous reports, and has started making disparaging and/or false comments amount plaintiff instead.
As a result, plaintiff claims the defamatory comments have caused them distress, lost revenue and future loss in revenue projected in the amount of $100,000.
The plaintiff holds Swanson responsible because the defendant allegedly refused to receive any repairs from plaintiff and subsequently started making disparaging and/or false comments about plaintiff via social media, email correspondence, Zillow and Trulia.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for damages, current and future lost wages, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and attorney's fees in a total amount in excess of the arbitration limits of the court. She is represented by Anastasa S. Williams of Pittsburgh.
The Allegheny County Courts of Common Pleas Case No. is GD-19-001200.