The owner and operator of a popular Mexican restaurant in La Mirada is suing a man who allegedly defamed him on Yelp, falsely claiming that the restaurant serves “horrible” food, that management is “crazy” and that the company is not affiliated with Los originals. Angeles location.
Former Mayor of Pico Rivera, Ron Beilke, filed a lawsuit at the Norwalk Superior Court on Tuesday against Jairo Castillo, alleging defamation, commercial depreciation and interference with economic advantages and contractual relationships. Beilke seeks at least $ 1 million in compensatory damages, in addition to unspecified punitive damages.
Castillo is a former La Mirada official who resigned in September, the suit says. He was not immediately available for comment.
La Mirada El Tepeyac restaurant opened on Imperial Highway in 2019. Like the original Evergreen Avenue location that has been operating in Boyle Heights since 1955, La Mirada El Tepeyac’s menu offers great burritos, including Hollenbeck and “Manuel’s Special de 5 pounds “. “
The restaurant’s permanent challenge is for customers to eat a “Manuel’s Special ” in a single visit.
“Over the years, many have tried, but few have succeeded, ” according to the cafe’s website.
According to the lawsuit, in September Castillo initiated a “scheme calculated to destroy ” the location of La Mirada with posts like” This place sucks, don’t even go there “,” The food is disgusting and cold “and” Don’t waste it your time or money, ” according to the process.
Castillo also posted: “This place is horrible. The food is horrible. The management is crazy,” says the process.
Castillo also said: “This place is a shame for claiming that it is part of the original and using its logo when they are not connected,” according to the complaint.
The suit claims that Castillo knew the posts were false and acted with “reckless disregard” for the content.