WASHINGTON – Wednesday was day three in the trial against a Virginia woman who posted negative comments about a Fairfax County contractor’s work online.
Christopher Dietz is seeking $750,000 in damages from Jane Perez, saying her negative reviews cost him business.
Perez posted her comments on both Yelp and Angie’s List.
Perez took the stand Wednesday morning and was questioned by both the defense and prosecuting attorneys.
Going through photos of his work in her home, the prosecution said Dietz did the work as laid out in the agreed-upon contract and wasn’t responsible for work Perez assumed he’d do.
The defense will call multiple witnesses this afternoon, speaking to what Perez calls the poor quality of work that was maliciously done to her home.
First Amendment proponents are looking to this case as it could set the precedent for how businesses can respond to citizens who post about them online.
Ditez’s attorney says it’s not a case about whether people can post reviews online, but one about making false statements online.
The judge is asking both attorneys to plan on closing arguments by Friday.
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