Australian man awarded US$115,000 after a Facebook post destroys his life and business
Hotel owner says he was threatened and hospitalised for six months after being accused of harbouring paedophiles
A 74-year-old Australian man was awarded US$115,000 in damages caused by a libelous Facebook post about his business, and it's a good reminder that you can't just say anything on social media.
Here's what happened.
Kenneth Rothe, the man awarded the damages, owned two hotels, the Nirvana Village and Blue Dolphin Motels, located in the Australian coastal town of Nambucca where he lived with his family.
One day, out of the blue, his hotels were accused of being a haven to pedophiles, a claim that the judge would later determine was baseless.
In March 2014, electrician David Scott posted, “Pedophile [sic] warning:- Nambucca has been used as a relocation for these monsters – blue dolphin –nirvana hotel and above the Indian restaurant! …Bus stops are right out front of theses hotels for our children?"
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Rothe often offered accommodations to people dealing with family disputes, but never to pedophiles.