The Fontainebleau Miami Beach has initiated legal proceedings against a renowned rabbi, alleging defamation and extortion following a viral video incident. The hotel claims that the rabbi demanded substantial donations to his charity in exchange for not amplifying the controversy on social media. After the hotel refused, the video went viral, leading to accusations of antisemitism and a prolonged campaign against the hotel's reputation.

The lawsuit further accuses the rabbi of creating misleading AI-generated videos that falsely portrayed hotel staff as celebrating antisemitism and comparing them to Nazi collaborators. Additionally, the rabbi allegedly encouraged his followers to boycott the hotel and offered to end the campaign if a million-dollar donation was made to his organization dedicated to fighting antisemitism.

Legal Battle Over Defamation and Extortion Claims

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach has taken decisive action by filing a lawsuit against a prominent religious leader, citing defamation and extortion. The hotel alleges that the rabbi sought to leverage a viral video incident for financial gain, demanding significant contributions to his charitable organization. When these demands were not met, the video spread rapidly across social platforms, sparking widespread outrage.

The conflict began when a video surfaced showing an altercation between the rabbi and a hotel guest nearly two years ago. Following this incident, the rabbi reportedly attempted to mitigate potential backlash by requesting compensation from the hotel. According to the lawsuit, the hotel rejected this proposal, leading to the video's dissemination and subsequent fallout. The rabbi then launched a multi-week campaign targeting the hotel's reputation, accusing it of fostering an environment conducive to antisemitic behavior. The hotel vehemently denies these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to inclusivity and respect for all guests.

Misleading Content and Boycott Campaign

In addition to the defamation claims, the hotel accuses the rabbi of generating and disseminating false content that damaged its image. Allegedly, he created AI-generated videos that misrepresented hotel employees as celebrating antisemitism and compared them to historical figures involved in atrocities. These fabricated portrayals have significantly harmed the hotel's standing among its patrons.

The lawsuit also highlights the rabbi's efforts to mobilize his substantial online following against the Fontainebleau. He reportedly urged his thousands of supporters to participate in a boycott of the hotel, further exacerbating the situation. Moreover, the complaint suggests that the rabbi offered to halt this campaign in exchange for a substantial donation to his charity, World Values Network, which aims to combat antisemitism. This alleged offer has been interpreted as an attempt at extortion, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing legal dispute.