In a decisive legal maneuver, Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan has confirmed the formal commencement of defamation proceedings against American attorney Martin De Luca and his associated firm. The lawsuit, filed in Antigua’s High Court, alleges a calculated campaign of malicious statements targeting Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s personal and professional standing.
Astaphan, speaking during an appearance on the ‘Browne and Browne Show,’ revealed that prior cautions had been systematically ignored, necessitating judicial intervention. “The day has come,” declared Astaphan, emphasizing that repeated public rebuttals had failed to curb the alleged defamatory onslaught.
The legal action has been instituted on behalf of Prime Minister Browne in his dual capacity as head of government and Minister of Finance and Corporate Governance. Astaphan characterized the litigation as essential for preserving the dignity of high office and countering what he described as deliberate attempts to erode public trust in the nation’s leadership.
This escalation transforms what was previously a war of words into a formal legal confrontation, shifting the battleground from media platforms to the courtroom. The case represents a strategic pivot from political counterarguments to judicial resolution, placing the matter squarely within the domain of legal scrutiny and due process.
The development underscores the growing international dimension of political reputation management, involving cross-border legal considerations between Antigua and the United States.