Tesla’s mercurial big boy Elon Musk asked for it.
Vernon Unsworth, the British man who volunteered to help rescue Thai children trapped in a cave and was baselessly called “pedo guy” by Musk, has already sent Musk a letter threatening a libel suit.
The later, dated Aug. 6, reveals that Unsworth lawyered up, even after Musk issued an “apology.” Musk did say sorry in July, blaming his “pedo” statement on “anger,” but this does not appear to have satisfied Unsworth.
Indeed, Musk expressed his “anger” to 22 million-plus Twitter followers about a story of great global interest.
Attorney L. Lin Wood said, “I have been retained by Vernon Unsworth to represent his interests in connection with the publication on your Twitter account of false and defamatory statements conveying that Mr. Unsworth is a pedophile.”
“I am in the process of preparing a civil complaint for libel against you,” Wood continued. “In an attempt to avoid litigation and to see the public record corrected, I invite you or your legal representatives to contact me.”
Our friends at Mediaite noted that Musk, as recently as Tuesday, was openly asking people why he hasn’t been sued.
BuzzFeed’s Ryan Mac wrote a story on Wednesday about the possibility of a lawsuit and says that Musk contacted him with some sweet reporting tips in response.
“Have you actually done any research at all?” Musk asked. “For example, you incorrectly state that he is a diver, which shows that you know essentially nothing and have not even bothered to research basic facts.”
In story, BuzzFeed cites a source close to Unsworth who confirmed that he has diving equipment and diving experience. This seems to indicate that Unsworth is a diver.
In any case, Unsworth has said “[I]t’s all being dealt with, that’s all I can say.”
[Image via Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images]
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