Judge Tosses Sultana Lawsuit Over Campaign Signs Calling Her "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL"

Sultana Libel Ruling by BernieOHare

In a 23-page Opinion filed yesterday, Northampton County President Judge Craig Dally has tossed a defamation lawsuit brought by Taiba Sultana against PA CITIZENS PAC, a political action committee formed by immigration attorney Ray Lahoud. The lawsuit was filed in response to campaign signs that called her "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL." The court also rejected defmation claims based on Facebooks statements that called her anti-semitic and a "complete nutcase," among other things. 

At the time these "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL." signs circulated (before they were vandalized by her children), Sultana was an Easton City Council member seeking the Democratic nomination for the state house against incumbent Bob Freeman. She lost that race and was also defeated in a May primary to retain her seat on City Council. 

Judge Dally concluded (you can read his Opinion above) that these statements were mere opinions. "[S]uch assertions alone, while annoying, offensive, and rude, do not give rise to a claim for libel and further, do not imply the existence of any undisclosed defamatory attacks." 

In addition, the comments were made without the actual malice required for libel lawsuits brought by public figures. "[S]he has not established with clear and convincing evidence that the identified statements are actually false or that they were made with reckless disregard for the truth." In fact, Judge Dally notes that local news outlets reported on her missed meetings and the criminal accusations that she beat her adult son. He referred to a Supreme Court decision noting that those who enter the political arena "must expect that the debate will sometimes be rough and personal."

In her Complaint, Sultana contended that a PA CITIZENS PAC claim that Sultana has unpaid municipal liens comes from a "dubious source of information". That dubious source is me. While I plead guilty to being a bottom-feeder, I pride myself on giving you premium garbage. There are actually two open municipal liens against Sultana. One is for $1,592.63 and was filed 6/10/24 at 2024-ML-5167. The second, filed 4/18/24 at 2024-ML-3404, is for $922.24.   

She also failed to establish that she suffered any special harm as a result of being called names. She claimed she received unwanted online messages and lost her campaign for state house as a direct result of being called "CRAZY CHAOTIC CRIMINAL" but never produced either these messages or proof that she lost the election as a direct result of the campaign signs. "[T]his Court cannot conclude that her standing in the community has been grievously fractured nor speculate as to the impact of the publication of the statements on the outcome of the primary election."

Sultana was represented by Allentown Attorney Matthew Mobilio, but he withdrew from the case in October.  PA CITIZENS PAC was represented by Attorney Stephanie Steward of the Goudsouzian law firm. 

Ray Lahoud, who formed and funded PA CITIZENS PAC, had this remark: "I appreciate the Court's thoughtful analysis. Ms. Sultana protests about rights and freedoms for all, but is against those rights for individuals that oppose her beliefs. Shame on her."

Sultana told Lehigh Valley News that she intends to appeal. She accused Lahoud of defaming her "“to destroy an immigrant woman who dares to stand up for her community.”