Primerica obtained an interim injunction against Marco Moukhaiber, a consumer advocate critical of multi-level marketing (MLM) operations, including Primerica.
Moukhaiber was ordered to remove specific posts and refrain from posting defamatory content about Primerica and related parties.
Court Findings:
Defamatory Postings: Primerica claimed Moukhaiber's posts implied criminal behavior and harassment. The judge found that references to "paid assassins" were comedic hyperbole and not defamatory.
Cult Characterization: References to MLM companies as "cults" were not deemed defamatory based on common definitions and context.
Order Interpretation: Paragraph 5(e) of the order barred Moukhaiber from publishing any material about the proceedings or participants, but this did not include Primerica itself. Non-defamatory comments about Primerica were not prohibited.
General References: Non-defamatory references and veiled comments about Primerica were not breaches of the injunction.
Proceedings References: Indirect references to the litigation by Moukhaiber were not found prejudicial to Primerica.
Other Breaches: Conflicting evidence on post removals led the court to decline finding contempt on these grounds.
Outcome:
Primerica’s applications for contempt and removal of posts were dismissed.
The decision on costs was deferred until after the review of the initial injunction order.
