Shane Homes President and CEO Shane Wenzel and his mother Edith initiated a defamation lawsuit against Canadaland, “political fixer” David Wallace, and political fundraiser Prem Singh over comments they say are false. .“The Canadaland Defendants knew, or ought to have been aware, that the Defamatory Statements would reach a wide public audience on the internet and via various commercial and social media platforms throughout Canada and beyond,” said MLT Aikins lawyers Ariel Breitman and Bennet Misskey, who were hired by the Wenzels, in a court filing. .“By speaking to the Canadaland Defendants, and in particular by speaking the words attributed to them in the Defamatory Statements, Mr. Wallace and Ms. Singh caused their words and the Defamatory Statements to be published, broadcast, streamed, and/or downloaded.”.The lawsuit arose after Canadaland published a written article and podcast episode on October 31 alleging several Calgary conservatives contributed to a plan called Operation Peacock to entrap former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi with Russian dark money. .Sources said Operation Peacock was an attempt by Wallace, backed by local business interests and arranged by political strategists, which was intended to create a scandal leading to Nenshi’s removal. The plan did not work because he failed to respond. .“It was to set up a scenario in which these supposedly corrupt politicians were put in a compromising position on tape where they were accepting favours in exchange for acting as cover to wash these funds,” said Wallace. .The lawsuit names Canadaland, editor-in-chief Jesse Brown, reporter Cherise Seucharan, Wallace, and Singh as respondents. .Breitman and Misskey said the defamatory statements made by the respondents were the Wenzels were convinced funds were needed to hire a fixer to collect evidence on Nenshi, they gave funds to attempt to entrap him, and they agreed to participate in the scheme to oust him. They said these statements are “false and were made by the Defendants with malice, knowing that they were false or with careless disregard as to whether they were true or not.” .The lawsuit said Wallace and Singh conspired among themselves to make false statements to the Wenzels. .Breitman and Misskey said the conspiracy between Wallace and Singh was “planned and intended for the predominant purpose of inducing the Plaintiffs to donate money to Ms. Singh for purposes of which the Plaintiffs were unaware.” They added the defendants knew the applicants would suffer losses and damages from the conspiracy. .The lawsuit went on to say the story subjected the applicants to ridicule, hatred, and contempt and damaged their personal and business reputations. It said they suffered injuries to their feelings and character. .The Wenzels are seeking $1 million in damages from the defendants, an order barring them from making similar statements in the future, their legal fees, and interest. .“As a result of all of the foregoing, the Plaintiffs have suffered and will continue to suffer damages for which the Defendants are liable,” said Breitman and Misskey. .Wallace said he was overjoyed about being sued. ."It's puzzling in a sense because they know what I've got," said Wallace. ."They sat at the table." .He said he will respond to this lawsuit vigorously. He will be countersuing the Wenzels and will depose a number of witnesses. .Brown acknowledged Canadaland received the lawsuit. He said he wanted to go through it before answering questions..Calgary police said November 3 it was looking into investigating Operation Peacock. .READ MORE: Calgary police investigating plot to entrap Nenshi with Russian money.“The Calgary Police Service is aware of allegations that surfaced online this week regarding an alleged entrapment plot against former Mayor Naheed Nenshi,” said Calgary police. .“Investigators are in the process of reaching out to Mr. Nenshi to obtain a formal statement to initiate an investigation.”.The Western Standard said on November 10 it will be initiating a defamation lawsuit against Wallace for false allegations he made about the publication. .READ MORE: Western Standard to sue David Wallace for defamation.The fixer made a false allegation that the Western Standard and publisher Derek Fildebrandt are “a bunch of criminals and pedo supporters.”.“Your publication is unjustifiable in any manner and severely defamatory,” said Ruttan Bates lawyer Michael Bates, who was retained as counsel by the Western Standard. .Singh could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
