Richmond Landlords Sue WTVR For Defamation

By Merrill Knox 


A Richmond management company has filed a defamation lawsuit against WTVR and one of its investigative reporters, Catie Beck, after the station aired a series of reports on living conditions at their properties.

Since last August, WTVR — the CBS affiliate in Richmond — has aired a dozen reports on Space Properties, LLC. The segments showcase a variety of maintenance issues on the company’s properties and have featured interviews with residents, as well as repeated claims by Beck that the company refused to speak with her. In the most recent segment — which you can watch, above — Beck confronted Robert Owens, the head of Space Properties, in the parking lot of one of his residences.

Space Properties is seeking more than $50 million in damages. The suit, which was filed in Chesterfield County circuit court last week, claims that the WTVR reports contained inaccuracies and unverified accusations that were an intentional effort to create fear in tenants’ minds.

Advertisement

Read the full complaint, filed by Virginia law firm Sands Anderson on behalf of Space Properties, after the jump.

Complaint as Filed (W1692977)

Advertisement