Mayor Marlene threatens legal against against her deputy

Dr Navi Muradali

San Fernando mayor Marlene Coudray on Thursday sent a pre-action protocol letter to her deputy, Dr Navi Muradali seeking $650,000 for damage to her character and reputation.

The letter was sent by Coudray's lawyer, Vishwanath Rambarran. The action is related to an article published last year in the T&T Guardian and its online version.

The October 23, 2011, article made allegations against Coudray about funding of a MBA programme she was pursuing. The legal letter said on October 26, 2011, Muradali "caused a number of defamatory words" to be published in the paper.

It said before her appointment as mayor, Coudray was a public servant for 39 years, and was a high-profile figure "with an unblemished record of integrity and morality in public office".

It added that the statements were "extremely defamatory" and brought Coudray into public ridicule, odium and disrepute.

“Our client’s reputation has been tarnished by these spurious allegations and she has been subjected to numerous adverse and unwarranted allegations as a result,” the letter said.

It is asking that:

• Muradali pay $650,000
• Retract the the allegations, to be circulated at Coudray’s discretion
• Makes a personal apology
• Acknowledge that he has agreed to pay a substantial sum in libel damages to her
• Pay Coudray's legal costs

The lawyer gave Muradali 14 days to respond.