Joy Kimbrough
Metro Councilmember Joy Kimbrough has filed a $40 million defamation lawsuit against Ryan Moses and his liquor distribution company following a now-dismissed ethics complaint alleging Kimbrough demanded hundreds of thousands of dollars in community benefits in exchange for her support of a rezoning effort.
Kimbrough, who works as an attorney, filed the suit against Moses and his company Best Brands Inc. in Davidson County Circuit Court on Jan. 11, accusing Moses of slander, libel, portraying Kimbrough in false light and infliction of emotional distress.
The suit stems from an ethics complaint, filed by Moses in the summer, alleging that Kimbrough requested $500,000 to be paid to her upfront in exchange for her backing of a rezoning proposal for a Best Brands warehouse in District 1, which she represents.
The complaint was fully dismissed by the Metro Board of Ethical Conduct after Moses failed to provide any substantial proof of the allegations and after implying to the board that he had a recording of Kimbrough asking for the funds. The lawsuit alleges “defamatory, malicious, slanderous, libelous, reckless, and tortious conduct” on Moses' part.
District 1 Metro councilmember cleared of wrongdoing after lengthy hearing
NewsChannel 5 first reported on the ethics complaint in August, which resulted in more than 100,000 views and 1,000-plus comments, the lawsuit notes, alleging this contributed to tarnishing Kimbrough’s reputation.
“Many people commented on the story that plaintiff had committed extortion, should be removed from office, charged, and sent to prison,” the suit reads. “The comments were brutal, mean, and evil.” The lawsuit also criticizes NewsChannel 5 for not disclosing that its legal analyst had previously represented Best Brands.
The lawsuit goes on to say that the ethics complaint was “littered with blatant false allegations” that could have resulted in the loss of Kimbrough’s legal license and subjected her to criminal prosecution.
“These statements were outrageously, intentionally, and maliciously circulated and recirculated by the defendant through the news media,” the lawsuit reads, saying the allegations cost Kimbrough “money, time, embarrassment, shame, damage to reputation, loss of sleep, headaches, emotional distress and other direct and consequential damages.”
Kimbrough is suing for $15 million in compensatory damages as well as $25 million in punitive damages. The councilmember is represented by Kellar Law Office.
It is unclear whether Moses has legal representation regarding the lawsuit.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
