PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh criminal law attorney has filed a civil lawsuit against a former client who is a Google Local Guide claiming defamatory online reviews have harmed his legal practice and caused his Google rating to drop.
According to the Sept. 6 Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas filing, plaintiff Robert Mielnicki filed a civil action complaint against Jason Depp alleging libel.
According to the suit, Depp is a Google Local Guide and receives an "unspecified benefit" from writing reviews for businesses. Sometime between 2011 and 2012, the suit states Mielnicki provided a consultation to the defendant and was given an initial retainer by Depp regarding a case Depp was facing for allegedly punching someone twice in the jaw.
Depp's lawsuit became complicated when an insurance company, Trustguard Insurance, as well as another attorney, G. Clinton Kelly, became involved in the case, the plaintiff alleges.
Mielnicki was eventually fired by Depp in 2013 and as the case sat dormant, the plaintiff alleges Depp began to post negative reviews and allegations about him as well as Kelly.
"As a result of defendant's defamatory review, plaintiff's Google Rating dropped to a 4.7 from a perfect 5.0. Plaintiff has since returned to a rating of 4.9," Mielnicki's complaint states. "While plaintiff was 5.0 he received approximately three to four calls from prospective clients each day. Since defendant posted his defamatory review, he does not receive one such call a day."
Mielnicki seeks more than $35,000 in compensatory and punitive damages as well as attorney's fees and costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Karissa Murphy of Pittsburgh.