Tesla's Musk is sued for calling British Thai cave rescuer pedophile

[webfact]

Tesla's Musk is sued for calling Thai cave rescuer pedophile

By Jonathan Stempel

 

FILE PHOTO: Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk speaks during the National Governors Association Summer Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S., July 15, 2017. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla Inc, was sued for defamation on Monday for falsely suggesting that a British caver who helped save 12 boys and their soccer coach from a Thailand cave in July was a pedophile and child rapist.

 

Vernon Unsworth sued over Musk's reference to him in a July 15 tweet as a "pedo guy," a comment for which Musk later apologised. The suit also claims that Musk called Unsworth a child rapist and sex trafficker in an Aug. 30 email to BuzzFeed News.

 

FILE PHOTO: British caver Vernon Unsworth looks to Tham Luang cave complex during a search for members of an under-16 soccer team and their coach, in the northern province of Chiang Rai,Thailand, June 27, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo

 

Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Musk and the company.

 

The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles seeks at least $75,000 of compensatory damages, plus unspecified punitive damages.

 

The case adds to a slew of litigation against Musk, including over his running of Palo Alto, California-based Tesla, which the billionaire has said has caused him severe stress.

 

Unsworth became a target for Musk after cave rescuers rejected Musk's offer of a mini-submarine created by his rocket company SpaceX to rescue the soccer team, which was finally freed after 18 days in the cave on July 10.

 

Though Unsworth told CNN three days later that Musk's offer was a "PR stunt" that had no chance of working and that Musk could "stick his submarine where it hurts," he said that did not justify Musk's use of Twitter and the media to defame him.

 

The July 15 tweet by Musk touted the mini-submarine and then, referring to Unsworth with a shorthand description of pedophile, said, "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it."

 

Musk apologised on July 18, referring to Unsworth in saying "his actions against me do not justify my actions against him," and that "the fault is mine and mine alone."

 

But the complaint said that in the Aug. 30 email, Musk urged a BuzzFeed reporter to "stop defending child rapists," and then said Unsworth spent decades in Thailand until moving to Chiang Rai, "reknowned for child sex-trafficking," to take a 12-year-old bride.

 

Unsworth said all of these accusations were false, and that the defamatory statements "were manufactured out of whole cloth by Musk out of a belief on his part that his wealth and stature allowed him to falsely accuse Mr. Unsworth with impunity" because he disagreed with him about the mini-submarine.

 

The case is Unsworth v Musk, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 18-08048.

 

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Clive McKeef)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-09-18

[The manic]

Sc*m

[Forethat]

Judging by the standard relationship between compensatory vs. punitive damages I'd guess Mr.Musk is facing a $75m claim for punitive damages... 

[webfact]

Elon Musk sued for libel by British Thai cave rescuer

 

A British cave diver is suing tech billionaire Elon Musk for defamation after his repeated claims the diver is a child abuser.

 

Vernon Unsworth helped with the rescue of 12 Thai teenagers from a flooded cave in July. Mr Musk has made several accusations against Mr Unsworth without evidence, including that he was a "child rapist". 

 

The lawsuit seeks $75,000 (£57,000) in compensation and an injunction against Mr Musk to stop further allegations.

 

Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45551895

 

-- © Copyright BBC 2018-09-18

[z42]

2 hours ago, The manic said:

Sc*m

Don't agree at all. In the wider scheme of things, Musk has pioneered things that will help to make the world a vastly better place.

 

Obviously what he said about the guy being a paedophile is stupid and completely without merit, yet the supposed victim in this case also talked shit about Musk to the media.

 

The court system simply shouldn't be used and abused like this. It is clear that Musk made a complete dick out of himself, and that nobody believes the diver is what was claimed.

 

Childish nonsense. Shake hands and let it be finished. What a circus

[HLover]

Next up for the litigation happy court system:

Musk sues Unsworth for verbal assult over his 'stick that submarine where it hurts' comment for 2.7 million dollars and the wheels go round and round.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

7 minutes ago, z42 said:

Don't agree at all. In the wider scheme of things, Musk has pioneered things that will help to make the world a vastly better place.

 

Obviously what he said about the guy being a paedophile is stupid and completely without merit, yet the supposed victim in this case also talked shit about Musk to the media.

 

The court system simply shouldn't be used and abused like this. It is clear that Musk made a complete dick out of himself, and that nobody believes the diver is what was claimed.

 

Childish nonsense. Shake hands and let it be finished. What a circus

Except Musk doesn't want to shake hands and let it be finished.

After his initial remarks he apologized and then, some weeks later, he repeated it. And Musk said Vernon should sue him - otherwise that would prove that Musk is right.

 

I think Vernon was as relaxed as anybody could be after such an attack. Musk was the one who just couldn't let it go. He behaves like an a$$hole. It seems he thinks he is so successful and rich that he can do whatever he want - including treating other people like scum.

It's time that someone kicks Musk (juristically) where it hurts. Maybe that will wake him up and maybe maybe he will think about his behavior.

[OneMoreFarang]

2 minutes ago, HLover said:

Next up for the litigation happy court system:

Musk sues Unsworth for verbal assult over his 'stick that submarine where it hurts' comment for 2.7 million dollars and the wheels go round and round.

 

That is "free speech". Calling someone a pedo is something totally different.

[HLover]

3 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

That is "free speech". Calling someone a pedo is something totally different.

Ok.

[doremifasol]

Unsworth started the whole verbal abuse thing.......

[lamyai3]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

The lawsuit seeks $75,000 (£57,000) in compensation and an injunction against Mr Musk to stop further allegations.

Surprised the amount is so small, and the lawyers were willing to bother, if they're on a contingency basis. 

[HLover]

3 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

Surprised the amount is so small, and the lawyers were willing to bother, if they're on a contingency basis. 

True, it could almost be called a 'pedo-amount'.

[OneMoreFarang]

12 minutes ago, doremifasol said:

Unsworth started the whole verbal abuse thing.......

That is technically correct.

But it was like Vernon shoved Musk a little and Musk took the shotgun out.

Musk should be smart enough to understand this...

[PJPom]

Sorry to say this but the Lawyers for Musk are going to dig so deep that Vern is going to be buried by every minor indiscretion he has ever made.

There will be no winners, apart from the Lawyers.

[doremifasol]

17 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

That is technically correct.

But it was like Vernon shoved Musk a little and Musk took the shotgun out.

Musk should be smart enough to understand this...

I don't know.......... Vernon could have chosen better words in the first place. What's wrong with "Thank you but no, thank you" ?

 

.

Edited September 17, 2018 by doremifasol
space

[Esso49]

31 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

Surprised the amount is so small, and the lawyers were willing to bother, if they're on a contingency basis. 

Back pocket change for Musk.   Considering how much Tesla shares have dropped recently.  The claim,  when he makes it in the UK may well be better for Vernon considering there, the burden of proof is on Musk to substantiate the claims made.   Don't think they will bother in Thailand as I think we all know that Musk offering money to certain people in Thailand will facilitate  the case to drag on for years,  most probable outcome, or even worse.

[Cadbury]

1 hour ago, z42 said:

Don't agree at all. In the wider scheme of things, Musk has pioneered things that will help to make the world a vastly better place.

 

Obviously what he said about the guy being a paedophile is stupid and completely without merit, yet the supposed victim in this case also talked shit about Musk to the media.

 

The court system simply shouldn't be used and abused like this. It is clear that Musk made a complete dick out of himself, and that nobody believes the diver is what was claimed.

 

Childish nonsense. Shake hands and let it be finished. What a circus

I agree with you on two points you raise. Yes he has made a contribution toward improving the world and yes he has made a complete dick of himself.

However he seems to be making a habit of showing himself up to be a goose these days to the point that shareholders are showing concern about his mental ability to cope.

This article gives a good insight to the state of the company and clues as to his present state of mind. Tesla 3 orders are down 23% and Tesla's debt is US$10.7 billion are just two probable reasons. 

https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-challenges-in-2018-2018-4

[Jeremy50]

25 minutes ago, PJPom said:

Sorry to say this but the Lawyers for Musk are going to dig so deep that Vern is going to be buried by every minor indiscretion he has ever made.

There will be no winners, apart from the Lawyers.

Agreed. Most people who have spent decades in Thailand have quite a lot they would rather keep quiet about.

[Carib]

Suing for such a low amount is the ultimate insult. 

[HLover]

32 minutes ago, doremifasol said:

I don't know.......... Vernon could have chosen better words in the first place. What's wrong with "Thank you but no, thank you" ?

 

.

Well said.

[madisongy]

For a brilliant guy, Musk made an enormous error responding to the guy, then repeating it.  Then, asks for the suit.   Vern on the other hand, made an absolutely brilliant move handing this over to the attorneys as I'm absolutely certain he's done that on a contingency basis.   Baits Musk into an enormously stupid comment, then sues the guy.   If he makes anything at all, he is money ahead.  And to me, pretty clear that Musk's statement constitutes libel, although it might be Vern's heirs collecting the payday, so should be a sweet settlement.

[Will27]

35 minutes ago, Carib said:

Suing for such a low amount is the ultimate insult. 

It's the unspecified punitive damages which will be the kicker.

[Prairieboy]

1 hour ago, doremifasol said:

Unsworth started the whole verbal abuse thing.......

At the height of the rescue operation, and in the heat of the moment, some a**hole shows up with a piece of equipment that is not practical for the operation I agree with Unsworth's equipment assessment and his statement. 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

a "PR stunt" that had no chance of working and that Musk could "stick his submarine where it hurts,"

I hope Unsworth's litigation is successful and makes a huge dent in Musk's fortune.

[canopy]

2 minutes ago, Prairieboy said:

some a**hole shows up with a piece of equipment that is not practical for the operation

Development of the sub was encouraged by Richard Stanton, one of two British divers that first discovered the kids. Technical details regarding the rugged requirements of the route were provided to Elon who implemented these considerations perfectly into the design of the sub. Elon has a track record of helping people and communities in need. The cave experts asked, Elon delivered. Why you and Vern feel the need to toss verbal insults at him for helping is the real question.
 

[Ks45672]

1 hour ago, doremifasol said:

Unsworth started the whole verbal abuse thing.......

Yes, but Musk could/should have called him almost anything else in the dictionary except for the word he picked...and nobody would care much

[Harry2]

The quote read":...seeks at least $75,000 of compensatory damages, plus unspecified punitive damages."

Its all about the "punitive damages" that where the hit is going to be - you dont get a top greedy lawyer lifting a finger for 30-50% of $75k.

 

If the case has merit then Musk & team will have to cut a deal before it comes to court. US juries (ordinary folks on the whole) have a reputation of often really sticking it to the 'rich & famous' be they corps or billionaires. Usually the only chance in a lifetime for some payback.....

[thailand49]

Yes, both should have kept their mouth shut or choose better words but it didn't happen because of their personalities. What is done is done and now comes whether the court will find the lawsuit credible to move forward but the burden is really on the Brit to prove he has been hurt?  

Not saying the Brit shouldn't fight and if I was in his position most likely would too but you are dealing with a lot of money and he is going to use it to dig not only on the Brit but his whole family and it will go back to all their childhood

For whatever reason, if he ends up paying it will be a drop in the bucket and has nothing to do directly with Tesla.

This just seems like PR for everyone including the lawyers.

Edited September 18, 2018 by thailand49

[Zack61]

1 hour ago, PJPom said:

Sorry to say this but the Lawyers for Musk are going to dig so deep that Vern is going to be buried by every minor indiscretion he has ever made.

There will be no winners, apart from the Lawyers.

Couldn’t agree more. When a lawyer says to you “We’re going to have to fight this” it’s time to get another lawyer. 

[stevemac]

Judging by the standard relationship between compensatory vs. punitive damages I'd guess Mr.Musk is facing a $75m claim for punitive damages... 

$1 for each of his followers tweeted to sounds about right

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Thian]

23 minutes ago, Ks45672 said:

Yes, but Musk could/should have called him almost anything else in the dictionary except for the word he picked...and nobody would care much

Well that Vern guy has a wife who could be his daughter, isn't it?