A defamation lawsuit has been filed against JDSPulse in the Miami-Dade court. The plaintiffs are Michael Stern and JDS Development Group. Formally, the matter concerns “reputation protection.” In reality, it is about silencing an independent platform where voices are heard from those whom Stern himself would prefer to force into silence.
JDSPulse is not a newspaper with an editorial staff in the conventional sense. It is a platform where individuals themselves publish opinions, testimonies, and documents: contractors with unpaid invoices, suppliers (including law firms), former partners, employees, and insiders. A significant portion of the materials is submitted through the website in the Onion network, which ensures the anonymity of sources
http://xwvbusytcxw73aq55eigvowg32urkafctt7h46h2hm6weghnfmkevjad.onion
What the Published Documents Say
Court documents, posted via the onion channel, indicate:
1. The plaintiffs are Michael Stern and JDS Development Group.
2. The defendant is currently designated as John Doe, but the following are directly mentioned:
• David Juracich — as a person “possessing information about the JDSPulse website, publications, and site management.”
• RosettiStarr — who prepared a report on Stern back in 2016, later published on JDSPulse.
• JDSPulse.com and related social media — the subpoenas explicitly state the requirement: “All documents and communications related to the website JDSpulse.com… including but not limited to https://x.com/JdsPulse, https://www.facebook.com/p/Jds-Pulse-61573922141892/, and https://www.instagram.com/jdspulse/.”
• NameCheap and Google — recipients of separate subpoenas demanding the disclosure of JDSPulse owners, IP logs, and payment data.
3. The essence of the lawsuit is defamation per se (defamation “by its very nature”). This allows for compensation to be sought without proving damages. The complaint states a claim amount exceeding $750,000.
4. The Plaintiff’s Strategy:
• Identify the real (or alleged) administrators and authors of JDSPulse through subpoenas to registrars and hosting providers;
• Link Juracich to the platform as a “figure behind JDSPulse”;
• Use the old RosettiStarr report as “evidence of defamation.”
What Stern Himself Writes in the Lawsuit
Stern’s complaint provides a clear understanding of his position:
-JDSPulse is described as a “coordinated campaign to defame,” allegedly created solely for the purpose of destroying the plaintiff’s reputation (see the complaint text).
-Examples of “defamatory” content include publications where Stern is referred to as a “fraudster,” “convicted felon,” and involving “criminal schemes.”
-Particular emphasis is placed on the publication of the 2016 RosettiStarr report.
-The lawsuit is structured on the basis of defamation per se and declares damages exceeding $750,000 (civil cover sheet).
-It is explicitly emphasized: the goal is to use subpoenas to “reveal the anonymity” of the authors and administrators of JDSPulse, including data from Google and NameCheap (read document).
In other words, Stern himself confirms: the primary threat to him is not individual articles, but the very existence of the platform where inconvenient voices are heard publicly.
Stern Is Not in a Vacuum
Particular attention is drawn to the fact that among the “knowledgeable persons” in the court materials, Stern’s former partner, David Juracich, is mentioned. In the lawsuit, he is designated as a person allegedly possessing information about JDSPulse, its publications, and management.
In effect, this is a hint: Stern is attempting to suggest that Juracich may be behind the platform. This is a convenient line for the plaintiff — to reduce a platform where dozens of people publish to a single figure.
However, such a strategy carries risks. Juracich has already stated his readiness to file a counterclaim for a significantly larger amount, emphasizing his intention to cover the process as publicly as possible and to use discovery for document disclosure. Moreover, he reminds: Stern himself, according to him, owes him more than $10 million.
Thus, by seeking to “tie” JDSPulse to Juracich, Stern is effectively drawing into the case a figure who is prepared not to remain silent, but on the contrary — to publicize even more materials.
When Silence Speaks Louder Than Words
There is another fact that cannot be ignored. The JDSPulse platform has sent no fewer than 10 official requests to Stern and his lawyers seeking comments and clarifications. Not one has received a response.
When it comes to open questions — silence. When it involves pressure and lawsuits — maximum activity.
JDSPulse is prepared to go further: the publication of all these requests with dates and confirmations of dispatch will show readers who is evading dialogue and who is operating according to journalistic standards.
JDSPulse’s Letter to NameCheap
In response to the subpoena, JDSPulse sent a letter to NameCheap, emphasizing:
-The platform is a place where users publish content, not an editorial staff that writes itself;
-The plaintiff’s demands contradict §230 of the Communications Decency Act, which establishes immunity for platforms from liability for user-generated content;
-Any attempts at pressure will be publicly highlighted.
Google and NameCheap are known for their commitment to freedom of expression and digital security. Their involvement through subpoenas only underscores the scale and weakness of Stern’s strategy.
888 Brickell: A Phantom Start
All these lawsuits and subpoenas coincide with high-profile issues in Stern’s development portfolio.
The flagship project, 888 Brickell in Miami, was presented as a construction site where “demolition work has already begun.” In reality, the demolition lasted only a few weeks. The contractor is already owed $1.17 million, has registered a lien, and has initiated judicial recovery.
The facade of PR and prominent brands coexists with debts, frozen projects, and lawsuits.
💡 Such processes in the USA are called SLAPP — Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. Their goal is not to win on the merits, but to exhaust, intimidate, and force silence where the truth is spoken.
Conclusion:
Each new lawsuit is not a demonstration of strength, but an admission of weakness. JDSPulse remains a platform where the voices of those no longer willing to remain silent are heard — from contractors to former partners.
❓And the main question: What is Michael Stern truly afraid of — loss of reputation or the fact that control over information is slipping from his hands?