Less than two weeks after the Washington Redskins resigned Fred Davis, the controversy-prone tight end is facing a fresh legal headache.
On Tuesday, Davis was sued in federal court for defamation by a woman he has called
a “madam” and a “pimpette,” according to court documents.
Makini R. Chaka, of Baltimore, has described herself as a “celebrity broker” who arranges events
for high-profile athletes and entertainers. For more than two years, she has been
engaged in a legal battle with Davis following a January 2011 altercation between
the two at Josephine Nightclub and Lounge in DC.
In court filings related to that case, Davis’s sometimes bodyguard Stewart Prince alleged that Chaka is “a ‘madam/pimpette’ who provides escorts to high-profile athletes
and entertainers.”
“It is well-known in the sports and entertainment industry, particularly in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area, that [Chaka] recruits women to work for her and provide sexual
favors to athletes or other entertainer[s] in exchange for money,” Prince said in
court documents. He said he knew “at least two women who [Chaka] attempted to recruit
to work for her in this capacity.”
He added that Chaka “often carries her ‘pimp-cup’ with her, is acquainted with other
well-known pimps including Bishop Don Juan (the ‘Bishop’) and frequently attends the
Bishop’s Players’ Ball with her female escorts.”
During a court hearing last April, Davis told Chaka: “You supply other people with
girls.”
Chaka has repeatedly denied procuring prostitutes for anyone.
Davis’s lawyer, George J. Wooditch, did not return a phone call requesting comment for this story.
In the complaint filed Tuesday, Chaka argued that Davis and Prince knew she was not
a madam but repeated the false claim anyway.
“Davis and Prince’s unlawful action against [Chaka and her company] was taken in malicious,
willful, wanton, reckless indifference to, deliberate indifference to, and/or reckless
disregard of Plaintiffs’ rights as guaranteed by laws prohibiting defamation,” the
complaint read. “As a direct, foreseeable, and proximate result of Davis’ and Prince’s
intentional illegal conduct . . . [Chaka and her company] suffered injuries and damages,
including but not limited to lost income and profits, damage to their reputations,
and emotional distress. These injuries and damages continue into the present and will
continue into the foreseeable future.”
Chaka says her company earned more than $60,000 annually before the allegations surfaced
but less than $30,000 afterward.
Chaka is seeking damages for defamation, invasion of privacy, contract interference,
and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Chaka’s lawyer, Patrice Sulton, declined to specify the amount of money her client is seeking. The complaint indicates
it will exceed $75,000.
During a one-day trial in March, Chaka’s lawyer asked a DC Superior Court judge to
grant Chaka more than $350,000 in punitive damages as a result of the 2011 incident.
Chaka argues that Davis assaulted her by dumping juice on her and throwing the bottle
at her; Davis’s lawyer called the lawsuit tantamount to extortion.
Luke Mullins is a senior writer at Washingtonian magazine focusing on the people and institutions that control the city’s levers of power. He has written about the Koch Brothers’ attempt to take over The Cato Institute, David Gregory’s ouster as moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, the collapse of Washington’s Metro system, and the conflict that split apart the founders of Politico.
Redskins Tight End Fred Davis Sued (Again)
Makini R. Chaka is seeking damages for “intentional infliction of emotional distress,” among other grievances.
Less than two weeks after the Washington Redskins resigned
Fred Davis, the controversy-prone tight end is facing a fresh legal headache.
On Tuesday, Davis was sued in federal court for defamation by a woman he has called
a “madam” and a “pimpette,” according to court documents.
Makini R. Chaka, of Baltimore, has described herself as a “celebrity broker” who arranges events
for high-profile athletes and entertainers. For more than two years, she has been
engaged in a legal battle with Davis following a January 2011 altercation between
the two at Josephine Nightclub and Lounge in DC.
In court filings related to that case, Davis’s sometimes bodyguard
Stewart Prince alleged that Chaka is “a ‘madam/pimpette’ who provides escorts to high-profile athletes
and entertainers.”
“It is well-known in the sports and entertainment industry, particularly in the Washington,
D.C. metropolitan area, that [Chaka] recruits women to work for her and provide sexual
favors to athletes or other entertainer[s] in exchange for money,” Prince said in
court documents. He said he knew “at least two women who [Chaka] attempted to recruit
to work for her in this capacity.”
He added that Chaka “often carries her ‘pimp-cup’ with her, is acquainted with other
well-known pimps including Bishop Don Juan (the ‘Bishop’) and frequently attends the
Bishop’s Players’ Ball with her female escorts.”
During a court hearing last April, Davis told Chaka: “You supply other people with
girls.”
Chaka has repeatedly denied procuring prostitutes for anyone.
Davis’s lawyer,
George J. Wooditch, did not return a phone call requesting comment for this story.
In the complaint filed Tuesday, Chaka argued that Davis and Prince knew she was not
a madam but repeated the false claim anyway.
“Davis and Prince’s unlawful action against [Chaka and her company] was taken in malicious,
willful, wanton, reckless indifference to, deliberate indifference to, and/or reckless
disregard of Plaintiffs’ rights as guaranteed by laws prohibiting defamation,” the
complaint read. “As a direct, foreseeable, and proximate result of Davis’ and Prince’s
intentional illegal conduct . . . [Chaka and her company] suffered injuries and damages,
including but not limited to lost income and profits, damage to their reputations,
and emotional distress. These injuries and damages continue into the present and will
continue into the foreseeable future.”
Chaka says her company earned more than $60,000 annually before the allegations surfaced
but less than $30,000 afterward.
Chaka is seeking damages for defamation, invasion of privacy, contract interference,
and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Chaka’s lawyer,
Patrice Sulton, declined to specify the amount of money her client is seeking. The complaint indicates
it will exceed $75,000.
During a one-day trial in March, Chaka’s lawyer asked a DC Superior Court judge to
grant Chaka more than $350,000 in punitive damages as a result of the 2011 incident.
Chaka argues that Davis assaulted her by dumping juice on her and throwing the bottle
at her; Davis’s lawyer called the lawsuit tantamount to extortion.
Luke Mullins is a senior writer at Washingtonian magazine focusing on the people and institutions that control the city’s levers of power. He has written about the Koch Brothers’ attempt to take over The Cato Institute, David Gregory’s ouster as moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, the collapse of Washington’s Metro system, and the conflict that split apart the founders of Politico.
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