A home builder in rural Florida is suing residents for ‘defamatory’ social posts
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- TerraNova sued two Myakka residents over social posts alleging wetlands harm.
- Plaintiffs seek at least $50,000 and demand retractions, citing defamatory claims.
- Leigh raised community funds, vows to continue advocacy despite lawsuit and threats.
A Florida equestrian center that wants to build a housing community in a rural slice of Florida is suing two Myakka City residents, accusing them of defaming the development plans in social media posts.
Lindsey Leigh and her husband, Edward Engquist, are being sued by TerraNova’s owner, Steve Herrig, based on social media posts he says are false and defamatory. The legal action escalates a showdown on whether rural Myakka land should be developed.
Leigh has become an outspoken voice for many Myakka residents concerned about development in the area, specifically with how it would affect the Myakka River and the rural lifestyle that residents in the area enjoy.
Leigh’s recent posts have focused on TerraNova’s request to increase density for its Estates at TerraNova housing community. TerraNova recently rescinded the rezoning request that would have changed the minimum lot size from 5 acres to 1 acre.
At the time, TerraNova said in a statement provided to the Bradenton Herald that it welcomed thoughtful community discussion.
“We want Myakka residents to know they are being heard, and we encourage future dialogue to help guide the path forward,” Herrig’s statement said.
But court records show that two days earlier, TerraNova had moved to pursue at least $50,000 from Leigh and Engquist in Manatee County Circuit Court.
TerraNova alleges residents defamed company
The suit, filed on Sept. 22, includes the Miakka Golf Club, LLC; the Estates at TerraNova, LLC; and TerraNova Enterprises, LLC as the plaintiffs.
“Defendants have continued to issue these statements and refused to retract their defamatory social media posts, despite Plaintiffs repeatedly informing Defendants of the falsity of their statements and the publicly available documents to contradict Plaintiffs’ assertions,” the complaint states.
The suit says statements from Leigh and Engquist’s personal profiles and their business profile, FeralFarmacy, are in question.
Those statements include the couple’s posts claiming, “TerraNova is ‘build(ing) on wetlands,’” “TerraNova is ‘mound(ing) up swamp land’” and “TerraNova is going to ‘flood your neighbors,’” according to the lawsuit. The suit also says the defendants accused TerraNova of using “chicken math,” implying TerraNova can’t be trusted.
While there are wetlands in the vicinity of TerraNova, construction that impacts wetlands would require permits through multiple agencies, like the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Estates at TerraNova project is not fully in construction yet.
Leigh’s post also alleged that TerraNova removed a weight limit sign from Clay Gully Road, according to court documents.
Steve Herrig, owner of TerraNova, said he didn’t want to take this matter to court, but saw no other option.
“They all think I’m wrecking the river and I’m this evil person,” Herrig said. “I have to get the truth out.”
Herrig said he gave Leigh an option to retract her statements and invited her to meet with him to learn more about TerraNova’s environmental initiatives. He also sent a cease and desist before filing the lawsuit.
Part of Herrig’s main concern were some comments he said alluded to people threatening arson, road blocks and protests.
“This is serious stuff, so she needs to be called out,” Herrig said. “That part’s not funny.”
Leigh says lawsuit ‘fuels’ her
Herrig said his offer still stands, and would retract the lawsuit if Leigh wanted to go back on her social media posts.
But Leigh said she has no plans to do that, comparing the lawsuit to a “gag order.”
Leigh wasn’t surprised when she and her husband were served court documents over the weekend. She said she perceived Herrig reaching out via text as intimidation.
In response to the comments about violence, Leigh said her attorney did not find posts that referenced arson or inciting violence against TerraNova. She attributed the claims of blocking entrances to TerraNova to her and her husbands’ sarcasm.
“I think he’s trying to take things out of context in an effort to intimidate me,” Leigh said. “I feel like the lawsuit is very much a power move on his behalf.”
After realizing a costly legal battle was approaching, Leigh made a social media post updating the community and included a link for donations toward their legal fund.
“The fight is for the community,” Leigh said. “Although I might be the face or the voice of that, I’m really speaking on behalf of the bulk of our community.”
In 24 hours, Leigh reached the $5,000 fundraising goal. Leigh said she’s been overwhelmed by the support of her neighbors.
“Although there’s a lot of negativity that’s circulating locally, there’s much more positivity, and I think we’re just leaning into that,” she said.
And when asked if the lawsuit deters her from continuing her advocacy work, Leigh said, “It fuels me. There’s not an ounce of me that’s like, ‘Alright, let’s let it go.’”
