U.S. District Court Rules In Favor Of MONAT Global
A federal judge has denied a motion by Mags Kavanaugh, owner of California Beauty Studios, to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against her by MONAT Global Corp., a world-class designer, manufacturer, and distributor of hair care products.
The suit alleges Kavanaugh has made repeated, malicious, and false claims against MONAT, its products, and employees for her own personal and financial gain. Further, the suit maintains that she deliberately misled customers about the safety of MONAT products for the sole purpose of diverting sales to her own business.
On Monday, January 22nd, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday ruled in favor of MONAT on all four matters at hand in denying Kavanaugh’s motion to dismiss. In doing so, the Court will now allow MONAT’s lawsuit against Kavanaugh to proceed.
Judge Merryday writes that Kavanaugh’s alleged statements, though “masquerading as opinion,” are specific and objective assertions, offering “no [First Amendment] protection to a defendant who misrepresents a fact to a prospective customer.”
Stuart MacMillan, President of MONAT Global said, “As a licensed cosmetologist, Mags Kavanaugh has specialized knowledge in the hair care industry, and a distinct responsibility to provide honest, ethical judgment for her customers. MONAT believes she failed that responsibility. However, what surprises me the most is the harsh and unprofessional way in which she attacked MONAT and its independent distributors.”
