A popular food vlogger has threatened to sue a social media user over alleged defamatory comments.
Natasha Laggan, who operates the YouTube channel Trini Cooking with Natasha, made the threat in a “cease and desist” letter sent Monday by her lawyer Bhimal Maharaj to the woman, whose identity was withheld based on the preliminary nature of the potential case.
In the correspondence, obtained by Guardian Media, Maharaj claimed that last Friday, the woman released a video on TikTok making several defamatory comments about Laggan including claiming that she (Laggan) is a “fake and a fraud”.
The exact allegations that were made cannot be repeated as such may constitute further defamation.
“You provided no proof or basis for your said allegation and continued to post approximately nine videos completely defaming our client’s character and causing her embarrassment,” Maharaj said.
He noted that Laggan’s YouTube channel has over 270,000 subscribers since being founded in October 2015, and she has over one million followers on Facebook since joining that platform in 2019.
Noting that she has been featured by more traditional media outlets in the United States, Maharaj said, “She is greatly admired and is considered to be one of the Caribbean’s top food influencers and an inspiration to many who wish to follow in her footsteps.
“Your unlawful actions reflect negatively on our client’s character, morality, and integrity and have caused serious injury to her personal and professional relationships causing her severe emotional distress,” he added.
Maharaj suggested that the woman’s actions could be considered harassment under the Offences Against the Person Act, which carries a $2,000 fine and imprisonment for up to six months upon conviction.
Maharaj stated that Laggan would file a defamation lawsuit if the action continued.
Maharaj also wrote an open letter, which was widely shared on social media yesterday.
In that letter, Maharaj warned social media users about continuing to share and repost the offensive material.
“Please be informed that anyone who shares or disseminates a defamatory video can him/herself be liable for defamation, and be made to pay damages for same,” he said.