Member of the La Plaine Village Council, Jason Fontaine, has sent a demand letter to MP for La Plaine, Petter Saint Jean, through his lawyer Cara Shillingford, demanding an apology for alleged defamation.
The letter dated June 14, 2017, demands an apology and full compensation within 14 days of receipt.
Fontaine has confirmed to DNO that he is taking the action against Saint Jean through his attorney.
The letter alleges that on Friday the 2nd of June 2017, Fontaine met Saint Jean in a restaurant in Lagoon and greeted him saying, “Good afternoon, Parl Rep.”
However in response, Saint Jean said he was not Fontaine’s parl rep.
“I am not your parl rep. Don’t call me parl rep,” was Saint Jean’s response, according to the letter.
The letter went on to say that Saint Jean then allegedly described Fontaine in a derogatory term, which was heard by several people in the vicinity of the restaurant.
“Since the date of this slander, Mr. Fontaine has been confronted and ridiculed by numerous persons. He has suffered significant shame and embarrassment. Your unfounded accusations have greatly lowered my client’s reputation in the minds of right-thinking members of society,” the letter stated.
The letter demanded an apology within 14 days of Saint Jean receiving it.
“You must also (in words approved by my client) inform all persons who heard the slander that this was a false and malicious lie. These approved words must be published both on the radio and in the newspaper,” the letter said. “You are hereby warned to stop spreading defamatory rumors about my client immediately. Moreover, you are required to pay adequate compensation to Mr. Fontaine for destroying his reputation. Full compensation in an agreed sum must be paid within 14 days of receipt of this letter.”
The letter stated that should Saint Jean fail to comply, legal proceedings will commence against him without further notice.
“Since the date of this slander, Mr. Fontaine has been confronted and ridiculed by numerous persons. He has suffered significant shame and embarrassment. Your unfounded accusations have greatly lowered my client’s reputation in the minds of right-thinking members of society,” the letter stated.
Who are the right-thinking members of this society is his attorney referring to? Obviously the incident was repeated. It made its rounds in Roseau, Dominica for that matter. Those who heard about it must have only made jokes with Jason. People love to do that saying laughingly, “I heard . . .” Then they give their opinion. Some never forget and never cease. They could blow it out of proportion.
I think Jason misinterpreted Saint Jean’s reaction to his type of greeting, knowing all what he stated about him. He also misinterpreted what others stated.
Jason, drop that demand and whatever else. You have made “A mountain out of a molehill” and “A storm in a teapot.”
To dno
Why are you all so selective in the comments that you post? It’s been a number of times that i made comments on this site and they have not seen the light of day. I made a comment about Jason fontaine let him know that I know who and what he is and you all dump it. The fact is Jason is who and what he is and nothing can Change that. You must realize that the comments you don’t want to post someone else will. I was not defaming him . What you probably don’t realize is that everything about him is in the public records. I was doing nothing but sending him an invitation. The invitation still stands.
But u have to admit… St. Jean Shape-up always on point. who is the boy barber cuz trust me the boi line-up does be flawless
Noting the top of his outfit, is Jason a pastor?
If so, Jason, “To err is human. To forgive divine.” Why not simply request for and accept an apology? You prefer money? You cannot take it with you, if you get there.
Honestly I cant believe what I’m reading…Jason Fontaine suing Petter St. Jean. Jason forget all the maypuis he give Petter and the Chairman during the recent Laplaine Council elections? He campaigned against Petter and had a meeting every night blasting the Parl Rep and the Chairman. He was on the platform saying so many degrading statements. What if Petter had taken him to court? He is getting a dose of his own medicine….Jason needs to go and find a job to do….
Many of you could make a good witness for Saint Jean. Is it any wonder when Jason greeted Saint Jean, he responded as he did. Since Jason projected that he was not a friend of Saint Jean, why did he even greet him.
Such a man as Jason, if he wanted to make amends with Saint Jean he must first sincerely apologize for the demeaning comments he made.
People do not make such comments about a person and then when they meet the person they had directed their comments against, pretend they are friends and greet them. What was Jason up to? What were his intentions?
Restaurant is a private place where people eat. You ENTERED THE PREMISES AND MET WITH CUSTOMERS. You recognised a customers you thought was Mr. Saint-Jean or someone who looks like him. He was not wearing an apron with Paarl Rep written on top of it. Your greetings were offensive because he was not the Pal Rep for the restaurant, but Laplaine district.
lol! you such a DOMINICAN, base on your point whenever skerrit travels as long as he leaves the Island his title should not be PM…
I want to send a clear message to Jason Fontaine… Leave our Pal Two alone…. For too long u have been harassing the man. Be careful!
As the Pal Rep, you represent the entire community, NOT those who voted for you only. It is despicable that Petter would behave in such a manner in a public forum. As a leader, you must rise above partisan politics and be professional. Regardless of Jason’s past, Petter had no right to defame him among other people.
But la Plaine observer, is people like all you that use to say publicly that Peter is not your all you parl rep, so much so that in LYSA award and at school little children refuse to say Parl. Rep. You all sowed these seeds.
They must have told the little children not to greet him as their Parl Rep. Some people are ignorant. They projected a bad example to the children.
They are not friends due to all what Jason said against Saint Jean. By his words, Jason showed that Saint Jean is not his Parl Rep. Saint Jean responded in likewise manner. Why can you not comprehend that?
People should hold their composure regardless of how they’re feel about a person, emotions shouldn’t control a man’s behavior.
Treat people the way you want to be treated, if you have nothing good or your criticism isn’t constructive, it always best to say nothing.
treat others the way u would like to be treated…. that statment is always a 2 way street yet people tend to forget that
Laborites never cease to amaze me. The calypsonian who defamed a member of the labor party in song, had to pay for his alleged loose tongue. Today, the shoe is on the other foot, Mr. Fontaine should allow one of theirs to go free. Linton must pay, Q95 must pay, DNO must pay, Matt must pay, Angello must pay, but a Minister of Government who should have the greatest respect for the people of Dominica, I assume because he holds the title of honorable, he should not walk up the steps on the court house like every other Dominican who denigrates another Dominican.
good. if they can sue they can take sue too. take a 40,000 from him
D/cans are anxious to know what Petter St. Jean said to him which offended him to the extent of sending a demand letter from his attorney.
Fontaine could have greeted him sarcastically. Remembering the movie, “Gone With The Wind.” Was it Charlotte who said, “When you call me Madame smile.”
We must learn how to interact with others. This would maintain peace and eliminate this type of reaction, as an example from Fontaine. In this era some people are looking for the response of others to sue them.
Some people greet others without a smile on their face. I do not view that as a genuine greeting. If someone I know greets me in that manner, I simply return the greeting without a smile or I would say to the person, “Smile. Why are you so serious?” Then I go on my way.
Is Fontaine looking for some money?
On the other hand, Saint Jean should have acknowledged the greeting or simply ignore him. This is what I would do. I hope he learned a lesson from that.
where i be there.lol.jason u serious man.
I really don’t understand some you people on here on this slave island plantation! Whether Jason acknowledged him in the past or not, as a public official,a parliamentary representative and minister of government,he ought not to be so disrespectful in his language! It’s seems like as time ,civilization and modernisation progresses, people of this slave island seems to be regressing! Whether you love petter or not or Jason, one has to learn to deal with the issues objectively!!!
People must think of themselves. All the same if you have been saying bad things about a person which projects that you dislike that person, if not hate that person, when that person and your path cross would you greet that person? Would it not be hypocritical of you to do so? Then, how did you greet that person?
I think since Jason has been bad-mouthing Saint Jean he should just not have greeted him. Saint Jean is human to have reacted in that manner. Most of you, if not all of you would have reacted in likewise manner.
My instinct informs me that Jason’s greeting did not mean well. Some people could do this to pick a fight.
Stop your hypocrisy. You won’t be lovey dovey with someone who constantly harass you and your family. Virtuous in light, satan company in darkness.
The law is for all of us and may justice prevail. It’s also time for the minister to answer on the dasheen houses.
No weapon formed against him shall never prosper,Petter Stjean don’t bow to them
Plant dasheen ,plantain,bananas etc,work hard for your money man,
Those who live in glass houses should not the stones..To sue people you should have a clean slate and ano skeletons.
Jason has admitted his past wrongdoings and paid for them. Has Petter St. Jean?
Way to go Jason…You cant be messed with!! GREAT JOB!!!
The convicted one
Do not provoke the man when you come across him. seems every other week you come up with a new allegation to seek the attention you crave, while injuring the man’s reputation. You greeting was not genuine. You were provoking the man and of course you will find a way to make some money from the situation. As it relates to the lawyer all I will say is that sometimes I really wonder.
That will happen…(sarcastic voice)
I am a firm believer in second chances as i myself have been given one and i still continue to try to make the most out of it through God’s grace. Keep in mind that Every Saint has a Past and Every Sinner has a future. chastising people for their ill deeds in their pasts doesnt help to build a man. it only destroys him. You Parl rep i am disappointed in . work with your constituents instead of beating them, calling them names and damaging their images just because you do not agree.
“Moreover, you are required to pay adequate compensation to Mr. Fontaine for destroying his reputation. Full compensation in an agreed sum must be paid within 14 days of receipt of this letter.”
The letter stated that should Saint Jean fail to comply, legal proceedings will commence against him without further notice.”
So, tell me, you mean “compensation in an agreed sum must be paid within 14 days of receipt of the letter; even before the a Judge hears the “case” and the case goes to trial? Well good. I like that law. Oooh la la Monsieur!!!!! And all you say Dominica not moving forward?
Is this not something. He is not even requesting an apology. He wants monetary compensation. The love of money. I hope he gets none.
Nobody can’t say Jason ain’t turning up the heat under St. Jean
The politics getting real nasty and personal in DA..
Too much so.
“Since the date of this slander, Mr. Fontaine has been confronted and ridiculed by numerous persons. He has suffered significant shame and embarrassment.”
Really
“Your unfounded accusations have greatly lowered my client’s reputation in the minds of right-thinking members of society,” Is this lawyer serious. Sweety, your client has done that himself. I know you have a job to do, everyone needs money but you should have left him alone with his stupid lawsuit. I hope you collected your payment before, at least a down payment ………..
Well, they say I do not live in Dominica, and do not know what is taking place in Dominica, but within minuets of the incident I was informed,
It is a waste of time to ask for an apology, Petter should be sued!
Here this i is indeed a parliamentary representative, and refuses to acknowledge he is! The guy is so pompous he believes he is over been a political representative of La Plane! May he is ashamed he is a damn country boy, a country bobby boy! (Or as we say in Dominica “country bookie).
so upsetting you sound …..smh. Get on like a human being instead of an animal.
What can I say except:
Francisco I know you listen to Q and you have heard daily the barrage of insults and mepuis jason gives Mr. St. Jean. So Jason can give and he cannot take. Tell Jason to ask Peter forgiveness for helping him when no one else would and repaying him by slander.GOD HATES AN INGRATE.
My question to you is simply this:
Is Petter St. Jean a parliamentary representative or not?
Is Petter the parliamentary representative to the people of the village of La Plane or not?
If he is when the guy greeted him as parliamentary rep. He had more than one options, he could have ignored him, or simply respond to him in another way. Politics is a dirty business in our country, in a matter of seconds it turns to hate, and people remain hating each other forever.
Petter response in a hateful manner, with malice, as such his insults constitutes a law suit. And this would not be a frivolous one!
Peter St. Jean has outlived his usefulness , I am so ashamed to have voted for guys like that. But I know for sure I will never make this mistake again to vote for DLP.
I agree, he has even become a liability to Roosevelt Skerrit’s labour party. You are not indispensable Petter.
Haha see how the man want to make a fast money there
But DNO, where the letter!? What is the alleged malicious lie/slanderous statement?
ADMIN: Due to legal reasons we cannot publish the statement.
But I agree with Mr. Petter. When he had win the seat 2014, allu wasn’t acknowledging him as allu rep. You had so much to say, you wash all your lang sal on the man like your background cleaner than his now you want to come and call him parl rep. Gasa, go and sit down your tired self somewhere eh. And all the sentence correctors can sit their tush down, I is a Dominican!
HE greeted him with respect. If it was the PM and he said Good afternoon PM what would be the problem? OR an officer and her said good afternoon officer. . “im not your parl rep,, dont call me parl rep”. Whether Petter likes it or not, he is Jason’s Parl Rep as Jason is a registered voted in Petter’s constituency. like it or not. Just nod or say good afternoon, finish your food and leave. amicably. Classless.
We can look at this situation in many ways, as we disagree. You do not know if Jason said it in a nice, friendly way and for what reason.
Saint Jean responded in that manner because Jason has been denigrating him in public, on the airwaves. Why did Jason think of greeting him? Enemies do not greet each other.
Man be honest, St. jean would never have won that seat without outside help. Skerrit had to intervene and pend plenty money to make sure his man won but that does not mean he is the most popular man in La Plaine you know. In fact he is a royal pain in the neck, too full of himself and that is my opinion.
You mean you are a dummy-in-can. Continue to support these people in their nonsense. When they turn their guns on you then you will start screaming but it will be too late
Good luck Jason with that battle you want to fight there. It will not be pretty (for you).
Lol, Fontaine is so funny. He still have reputation ner?
Go for $1 million sweat.
These days some people are looking for money; desperate for it. It does not matter how they get it and for what reason.
The Hits just coming, w/o any sign of letting off! Domnica sa Ka fe! Domnic. An alleged small axe trying to cut down a bigtree very intreasting how that one will play out! D/ca in this present times. just opinioned, and hope all persons who were allegedly present, and who may or may not heard, what they may have heard, will not all receive a house, and more. But the more things change, the more it remain the same, we are in a sorry state at this juncture, only God knows, stay tuned.
The question St.Jean should be asking himself (as a professed child of God) is: What would JESUS do?