Rabbi's Defamation Lawsuit Against Fontainebleau Miami Beach Allowed to Move Forward
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's attempt to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Fontainebleau Development against him for allegedly smearing the iconic resort on social media has been denied by a U.S. District Judge.
After months of legal battles, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has lost his bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought against him by Fontainebleau Development, the affiliate of billionaire Jeff Soffer. The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, accuses Boteach of falsely accusing the 1,504-key hotel's owner and staff on his social media accounts.
U.S. District Judge Michael Moore denied Boteach's motion to dismiss the complaint, allowing the lawsuit to move forward. The hotel's ownership entity is seeking punitive damages against Boteach, whose real name is Jacob Shmuel Botach.
In its December 2024 federal complaint, Fontainebleau Miami Beach alleges that Boteach spent weeks making false accusations against the iconic resort and its staff on social media. The defamation lawsuit claims that Boteach's posts were damaging to the reputation of the hotel and its owner, Fontainebleau Development.
The lawsuit also alleges that Boteach's actions were part of a larger scheme to extort money from the hotel and its owner. Boteach has denied these claims and is fighting to clear his name in court.
Fontainebleau Miami Beach is seeking punitive damages from Boteach for his alleged defamatory statements. The iconic resort, located at 4441 Collins Avenue, is known for its luxurious amenities and celebrity guests.
Originally reported by