Project Gamma, a business specializing in autotuning and custom manufacturing for cars, has taken legal action against an individual accused of defamation. The complaint was filed by Project Gamma on September 25, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, targeting Jake Paterson as the defendant.
The case revolves around a series of statements made by Jake Paterson on an online forum known as Bimmerpost. According to the complaint, on August 26, 2022, under the username "Derosnee," Paterson initiated a thread titled "Project Gamma Warning," where he criticized Project Gamma's customer service. As discussions progressed on the forum, Paterson allegedly edited his original post on November 15, 2022, consolidating and repeating false allegations from other users. These included claims that Project Gamma sourced products from China and sold them at inflated prices. On November 4, 2022, Paterson purportedly stated that Project Gamma was involved in repackaging products from Alibaba and labeled the company as being filled with "degenerates."
Project Gamma contends that these statements are defamatory and have caused significant harm to its reputation and business operations. The plaintiff argues that Paterson's actions were intentional and aimed at damaging their standing within the community and among potential customers. The lawsuit seeks monetary relief not exceeding $250,000 for damages related to character injury, loss of goodwill, mental anguish, economic injury, and loss of business opportunities.
The plaintiff is pursuing two causes of action: defamation and defamation per se. In both instances, they allege that Paterson's statements were false and harmful enough to presume damage without further proof. They seek actual damages along with exemplary damages under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.003(a). Additionally, Project Gamma demands special mitigation damages in the form of a public apology and retraction from Paterson.
Represented by attorney Luc Nguyen from Clutch Law Group PLLC based in Houston, Texas, Project Gamma is prepared to conduct discovery under Level 2 of Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 190.3 to gather more evidence supporting their claims against Jake Paterson.
The case is presided over by Judge Brianna Janel Denmon in Harris County District Court under Case ID: 2024-65929.