Photo at DUI checkpoint brings suit against Mt. Lebanon Magazine
A Washington County man sued the managing editor of Mt. Lebanon Magazine along with a photographer whose work appeared in the magazine, claiming defamation.
John W. Pinto of Cecil filed an arbitration claim Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against managing editor Merle Jantz and photographer George Mendel. Pinto is seeking $35,000.
According to the court filing, Pinto claims the defendants published a photograph of him standing near a police officer at an apparent drunken driving checkpoint in 2012. His face was blurred in the photo.
He said the magazine wrote that his Volvo was the first vehicle to enter a DUI checkpoint on Washington Road and talked about field sobriety tests.
Pinto said the magazine falsely conveyed to readers that he was arrested for drunken driving. Pinto was not arrested, according to the lawsuit.
Magazine editor-in-chief Susan Fleming Morgans referred comment to Mt. Lebanon's solicitor.
Update October 18, 2013 12:11 AM Man sues Mt. Lebanon Magazine for defamation
Update October 19, 2013 5:33 PM Article is on page 36-37 here in the September 2012 issue of mtl Magazine.
A Washington County man sued the managing editor of Mt. Lebanon Magazine along with a photographer whose work appeared in the magazine, claiming defamation.
John W. Pinto of Cecil filed an arbitration claim Thursday in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court against managing editor Merle Jantz and photographer George Mendel. Pinto is seeking $35,000.
According to the court filing, Pinto claims the defendants published a photograph of him standing near a police officer at an apparent drunken driving checkpoint in 2012. His face was blurred in the photo.
He said the magazine wrote that his Volvo was the first vehicle to enter a DUI checkpoint on Washington Road and talked about field sobriety tests.
Pinto said the magazine falsely conveyed to readers that he was arrested for drunken driving. Pinto was not arrested, according to the lawsuit.
Magazine editor-in-chief Susan Fleming Morgans referred comment to Mt. Lebanon's solicitor.
Update October 18, 2013 12:11 AM Man sues Mt. Lebanon Magazine for defamation
Update October 19, 2013 5:33 PM Article is on page 36-37 here in the September 2012 issue of mtl Magazine.