- Defamation action against the editor of gossip website has commenced
- Law firm Jones Day has been appointed as solicitors for Michael Honsue Cho
- Defendant has failed to lodge defence as required by law
- Default judgement application has been filed against the defendant
- The court action relates to three defamatory articles authored by the defendant
Melbourne, Australia – 7 November 2018: The Cho Group wishes to advise that its founder and chairman, Michael Honsue Cho, has commenced legal proceedings in Australia against Mr Mark Thomas, the editor-in-chief of an online gossip site.
The proceedings were commenced in May 2018 and relate to the publication of three online articles authored by Mr Thomas.
The three articles are defamatory of Mr Cho, and fundamentally misrepresent the nature of the products offered by the Cho Group.
Mr Cho has engaged Jones Day as his solicitors for the proceedings and despite correspondence from Jones Day at the time of the first article’s publication requesting that the article be removed, all three articles remain available online in their original form.
After an extensive search lasting two months using a private investigator and a tracer, Mr Thomas was personally served with the relevant legal documents in Cape Town in the Republic of South Africa on 31 August 2018.
Mr Thomas did not file a defence within 28 days as required by the laws of Queensland; and indeed, did not do so within two months of being served.
Mr Cho now intends to apply for judgment against Mr Thomas. To that end, on 31 October 2018, the Honourable Judge Ryrie of the District Court of Queensland, Australia, made orders allowing the default judgment application and supporting materials to be served on Mr Thomas.
The Cho Group will provide further information as that becomes available.
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About Cho Group
The Cho Group funds and develops advanced technology for humanitarian and environmental projects. The Company has acquired substantial assets such as land, factories, patents, inventions, joint ventures, licenses and distribution rights of various companies’ products and services around the world. For more information, please visit to www.chogroup.com.au.
Media enquiries can be directed to:
Brendon Lau
VantagePointPartners
e: brendon@vantagepointpartners.com.au
m: 0409 341 613
