Morgan & Morgan Representing Chantel Jeffries in Defamation Lawsuit

Morgan & Morgan has announced that it has filed a defamation lawsuit on behalf of Chantel Jeffries, the young woman who was in Justin Bieber’s car the night the Canadian-born entertainer was arrested in Miami in early 2014.

“Media, the most powerful communication tool, has a sinister side with its ability to hurt and destroy,” Jeffries’ attorney, Andrew Parker Felix, said in a statement to the media. “It has created a platform for those with selfish motives to profit from hurting and destroying the personal and professional reputation of unsuspecting victims like Chantel Jeffries through the broadcasting of false and defamatory statements.”

After the incident in the early hours of January 23, for which the pop star was charged with DUI, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license, multiple media outlets, including the New York Daily News, published accounts of Jeffries’ allegedly “extensive” criminal record. Jeffries’ lawsuit claims the statements made by the media outlets are entirely false and have damaged her reputation.

“Ms. Jeffries is seeking to protect and defend her reputation, coupled with permanent injunctive relief against the defendants,” Felix said. “We intend for this lawsuit to send a simple message: there must be truth and accuracy in reporting.”

The full statement made public by Morgan & Morgan can be read below:

On January 23, 2014, Chantel Jeffries, a student and professional model in Miami Beach, FL, was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle operated by Justin Bieber when a traffic incident occurred. Thereafter, the New York Daily News Company (publisher of www.nydailynews.com{: target="_blank"}) and others wrongfully accused Jeffries of having an extensive criminal arrest record and rap sheet. The articles contained statements concerning Jeffries that were false, defamatory and injurious to her professional and personal reputation.

Jeffries is seeking to protect and defend her reputation and is also seeking permanent injunctive relief against the defendants.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Jeffries' legal counsel, Andrew Parker Felix, Esq. at407.244.3209, or e-mail afelix@forthepeople.com{: target="_blank"}.