Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar has filed a lawsuit seeking damages exceeding $50 million against two social media influencers for alleged defamation. The defendants, Sherod Duncan, a member of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and Melissa Ann Atwell, who goes by the pseudonym “Melly Mel,” are accused of making defamatory statements during a Facebook broadcast.
The lawsuit, filed by Indar’s legal team led by attorneys Sase R. Gunraj and Rea C. Harris, claims that statements made by Duncan and Atwell during a programme titled “In the Ring Special | Live from New York with guest Melly Mel” on Duncan’s “Credible Sources” Facebook page, falsely accused the minister of corruption. The broadcast took place on August 27, 2024, and has since amassed significant attention, being shared over 400 times, receiving 1,800 reactions, and garnering 197,000 views.
During the broadcast, Atwell alleged that Indar was involved in unethical practices, referring to him as the “15% man” and implying he demanded kickbacks from government contracts. Atwell stated that Indar’s associates were involved in a scheme to secure public works contracts worth up to $15 million without tender board approval. The allegations also involved missing funds amounting to US$500,000, purportedly linked to the Ministry of Public Works.
Indar’s lawsuit contends that these statements are baseless, damaging to his reputation, and have caused considerable distress and embarrassment. The legal claim asserts that the statements imply Indar is corrupt, dishonest, and unfit for public office. Indar, who is also a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has held prestigious roles in the private sector, including President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), argues that these defamatory remarks have negatively impacted his professional and personal life.
The lawsuit seeks several remedies, including damages exceeding $50 million for defamation and aggravated damages due to the severity of the claims.
Additionally, Indar’s legal team requests a court order to prevent Duncan and Atwell from further publishing defamatory content and to remove existing posts. The claim also seeks a formal retraction and apology approved by the court, along with legal costs and interest as applicable.
