Wisconsin Sheriff Sues Woman for Defamation, Seeks $1 Million
A sheriff in Wisconsin has initiated a defamation lawsuit against an Illinois woman, claiming damages of $1 million. The case centers around allegations that he was improperly detained by federal immigration agents at the Dodge County Jail, which he argues is a fabricated story.
Background of the Incident
Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi garnered national attention last month after she alleged that she and five others were detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at O’Hare International Airport upon returning from a business trip to Turkey on March 5. According to her claims, they were held for 30 hours before being transferred to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview and subsequently to the Dodge County Jail.
Claim Supporters and Protests
Supporters of Naqvi, including Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, publicly criticized her alleged detention, which ignited protests. However, their assertions came under scrutiny.
Government Response
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security contested Naqvi’s claims by releasing surveillance footage showing that she had left O’Hare approximately 90 minutes after landing.
Lawsuit Filed by the Sheriff
On Friday, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt filed a defamation lawsuit against Naqvi and Morrison, presenting evidence that he believes disproves her allegations. Schmidt stated, “They are completely unsupported by any verified evidence.”
Evidence Presented by the Sheriff
Schmidt provided surveillance video, documents, and text messages to counter Naqvi’s narrative. “Sundas Naqvi was never in the custody of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office,” he emphasized. Evidence includes a hotel check-in folio from Rosemont, Illinois, revealing she arrived about three hours after landing at O’Hare. Additional video appears to show Naqvi being driven to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, on March 7 by her ex-girlfriend, who also reportedly provided her with around $25,000 over several weeks, including funds for her airfare to Turkey.
Impact on the Sheriff’s Agency
Sheriff Schmidt expressed concern over the damage the allegations have caused to his agency’s reputation. “There are no charges against her here in Dodge County, and my only recourse is to ensure the public understands that such claims cannot go unchallenged,” he stated.
Legal Insight on the Case
Julius Kim, a southeastern Wisconsin attorney, noted that defamation cases are uncommon among law enforcement due to the intensive resources they require. “This is quite rare; in fact, it’s the first instance I’ve heard of a county sheriff filing a defamation suit in his individual capacity due to allegations against him,” he remarked. He also explained that public figures face a higher burden of proof, needing to demonstrate that the person who defamed them acted with malicious intent.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit also includes 10 “John Doe” defendants, identified as unknown individuals residing outside of Wisconsin who are accused of disseminating false allegations against the sheriff. Their actual names will be added to the lawsuit once identified.
