Preview
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
EXHIBIT B
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
The undersigned authority has the honour to certify, in conformity with Article 6 of the ConvenSon,
L'autorité soussign e a Phonneur d'attesterconformément à l'article6 de ladite Convention,
been-served*
1.that the document has
exécutée*
que la demande a été
- the
(date) / le (date):
( oca té, u n méro :
- in one of the methods authorised by Article 5:
following
d ans une des formes suivantes prévues à Fartide 5 :
a a) in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph a) of the first paragraph of
Article 5 of the Convention*
a))*
seIon lesformes légales (article5, alinéa premier, lettre
b) in accordance with the following particular method*:
suivante* :
seIon la forme particulière
a c) by delivery to the addressee, if he accepts it voluntarily*
par remise simple*
The documents referred to in the request have been delivered to:
Les documents mentionnés dans la demande ont téremis à :
Identity and description of person:
Identitéet qualité de la personne :
Relationship to the addressee (family,
business or other)t
Liens de parenté,de subordination ou autres, avecle fL.
destinataire de Facte:
2.that the document has not been served, by reason of the following facts*:
que la demande n'a pas été exécutée, en raison des faits suivants*:
O In conformity with the second paragraph of Article 12 of the Convention, the applicant is
requested to pay or reimburse the expenses detailed in the attachedstatement*.
Conformément à Farticle 12, alinéa 2, de ladite Convention, le requérant est prié de payerou derembourser les frais
dont le détail figure au mémoireci-joint*.
Annexes / Annexes
Documents returned:
Pi ces renvoyées:
In appropriate cases, documents establishing
the service:
Le cas échéant, les documentsjustificatifs de
Fexécution: o
* if appropriate/ s'il alieu .
y
Done at / Fait à Signature andl r pn¼p b
Signature et / oü chbi
The / le
PermanentBureauJuly 2017
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in
Civil or Commercial Matters, signed at The Hague, the 15th of November1965.
Convention re[ative à la signification et à la notification à l'étranger des actesjudiciaires ouextrajudiciaires en
mati re civile ou commerciale, signée à La Haye le 15 novembre 1965.
B p
Identity and address of the applicant Address of receiving authority
Identitéetadresse du requérant Adresse de l'autorité destinataire
WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ. Ministère de la Justice
C/o Judicial Process & Support, Inc. Direction des Affaires Civiles etdu Sceau
19 West Flagler Street, #610 Bureau du droitde I'Union, du droit intemational
Miami, FL 33130 privé et de l'entraide civile (BDIP)
Authorized applicant pursuantto public law 13, Place Vendôme
97-351 of Feb. 26, 1983 which amended rule . 75042 Paris Cedex01
4(c) 2(a) Federal Rules of Civil Procedure France
Case Number:154288/2022
The undersigned applicant has the honour to transmit -in duplicate -the documents listed below
and, in conformity with Article 5 of the above-mentioned Convention, requests prompt service of
one copy thereof on the addressee, i.e.:
Le requ rantsoussigné a l'honneurde faire parvenir-en double exemplaire -à l'autoritédestinataire lesdocuments
ci-dessousénuméres, en la priant, conformément A l'article 5 de la Convention précit e, en faireremetire sansrelard
un exemplaire au destinataire, à savoir:
RECU s r
(identity and address)
(identitéetedresse)
FASHION NETWORK 2 Û ú
126 RUE REAUMUR, ..
PARIS, FRANCE, 75002
BD P
a) in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph a) of the first paragraph of
Article 5 of the Convention*
selon lesformes légales (artide5, alinda premier, lettre a))"
b) in accordance with the following particular method (sub-paragraph b) of the first
paragraph of Article 5)*:
selon la forme particulière suivante (article 5, alinéa premier, lettre b)*:
c) by delivery to the addressee, if he accepts it voluntarily (second paragraph of
Article 5)*
le cas échéant, parremise simple (article 5, alinéa 2)*
The authority is requested to return or to have returned to the applicant a copy of the documents -
and of the annexes* - with the attached certificate.
Cette autorité est priée de renvoyer ou de faire renvoyer au requérant un exemplaire de l'acte - et de ses annexes* -
avec l'attestation ci-jointe_
List of documents / Ènumération des pièces
" EXECUTED "REQUEST" IN DUPLICATE
a SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT
" ALL DOCUMENTS IN DUPLICATE
* if appropriate/ s'll a lieu
y
Done at / Fait à NEW YORK, NY, USA, Signature and/or stamp
Signature et / ou cachet
The / le
YOW n , ·
PermanentBureauJuly 2017
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
Identity and address of the addressee
Identitéetadresse du destinataire
FASHION NETWORK
126 RUE REAUMUR,
PARIS, FRANCE, 75002
IMPORTANT
THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENT IS OF A LEGAL NATURE AND MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS AND
SERVED'
OBLIGATIONS. THE 'SUMMARY OF THE DOCUMENT TO BE WILL GIVE YOU SOME
INFORMATUN ABOUT ITS NATURE AND PURPOSE. YOU SHOULD HOWEVER READ THE
DOCUMENT ITSELF CAREFULLY. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE.
IF YOUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE INSUFFICIENT YOU SHOULD SEEK INFORMATION ON
THE POSSIBILITY OF OBTAINING LEGAL AID OR ADVICE EITHER IN THE COUNTRYWHEREYOU
LIVE OR IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THE DOCUMENT WAS ISSUED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL AID OR ADVICE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE
THE DOCUMENT WAS ISSUED MAY BE DIRECTED TO:
TRÈS IMPORTANT
LE DOCUMENT CI-JOINT EST DE NATURE JURIDIQUE ET PEUT AFFECTER VOS DROlTS ET OBLIGATIONS.
LES « ÉLÉMENTS ESSENTIELS DE L'ACTE » VOUS DONNENT QUELQUES INFORMATIONSSURSANATURE
ET SON OBJET. IL EST TOUTEFOIS INDISPENSABLE DE LIRE ATTENTIVEMENT LE TEXTE MÈME DU
DOCUMENT. IL PEUT GTRE NÉCESSAIRE DE DEMANDER UN AVIS JURIDIQUE.
St VOS RESSOURCES SONT INSUFFISANTES, RENSEIGNEZ-VOUS SUR LA POSSIBILITÉ DŒBTENR
L'ASSISTANCE JUDICIAIRE ET LA CONSULTATION J URIDIQUE, SOIT DANS VOTRE PAYS, SOlT DANS LE
PAYS DŒRIGINE DU DOCUMENT.
LES DEMANDES DE RENSEIGNEMENTS SUR LES POSSIBILITÉS D'OBTENIR L'ASSISTANCE JUDICIAIRE OU
LA CONSULTATION JURIDIQUE DANS LE PAYS D'ORIGINE DU DOCUMENT PEUVENT ÈTRE ADRESSÉES Â :
It is recommended that the standard terms in the notice be written in English and French and
where appropriate also in the official language, or in one of the official languages of the State in
which the document originated. The blanks could be completed either in the language of the State
to which the document is to be sent, or in English or French.
II est recommandé que les mentions imprimées dans cette note solent rédigées en langue française et en langue
anglaise et le cas échéalt, en outre, dans la langue ou l'une des langues officielles de I'État d'origine de I'acte. Les
blancs pourraientêtreremplis, soit dansla langue de I'État ou le documentdoit être adressé, soiten langue frangaise,
soiten langueanglaise.
PermanentBureauJuly 2017
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in
Civil or Commercial Matters, signed at The Hague, the 15th of November 1965 (Article 5, fourth
paragraph).
Convention relative à la signification et à la notification à >étranger des actes judiciaires ou
extrajudiciaires en matière civile ou commerciale, signée à La Haye le 15 novembre 1965
(article 5, alinéa 4).
Name and address of the requesting authority: WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ.
Nom et adresse de l'autorité requérante : c/o Judicial Process and Support, Inc.
19 W. Flagler St., #610, Miami, Fl. 33130
Particulars of the parties*: AMRO ALSOLEIBI VS. FASHION NETWORK,
Identité des parties* : ET AL
CASE NO. 154288/2022
* If
appropriate,identity and addressof the personinterestedInthe transmissionof the document
S'ily a lieu,identitéetadressedelapersonne
intéressée
a latransmission
deracts
DOCUMENT**
O JUDICIAL
ACTE JUDICIAIRE**
Nature and purpose of the document: TO GIVE NOTICE THAT THE PLAINTIFF HAS
Nature et objet de >acte : FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE
DEFENDANT
Natum and purpose of the proceedings and, DEFAMATION FOR ARTICLE CONTAINING
when appropriate, the amount in dispute: FALSE AND DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS ON
Nature et objet de rinstance, le cas échéant, le montent DEFENDANTS'
FASHION NEWS WEBSITE.
du litige :
Date and Place for entering appearance**: FILE ANSWER WITH:
Date et lieu de la comparution** : SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK,
CLERK OF COURT
60 CENTRE STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10007
A COPY OF THE ANSWER MUST BE MAILED
TO: WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ.
521 5TH AVENUE 17TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10175
Court which has given judgment**: N/A
Juridiction qui a rendu la decision** :
Date of judgment**: N/A
Date de la décision** :
Time limits stated in the document**: ANSWER OR RESPONSE IS DUE 20 DAYS
Indication des délais figurant dans l'acte** : AFTER SERVICE UPON YOU.
** if appropriate/ s'il a lieu
y
DOCUMENT**
O EXTRAJUDICIAL
ACTE EXTRAJUDICIAIRE**
PermanentBureauJuly 2017
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
Natureand purpose ofthe document: N/A
Natureetobjetderacte:
Time4imits statedin the document**: N/A
IndicationdesdélaisfigurantdansFacte**:
** if appropriate/ s"il a lieu
y
PermanentBureauJuly 2017
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/17/2022
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW Y ORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
AMRO ALSOLEIBI,
Plaintiff,
- against - Index No:
FASHION NETWORK,
and DOMINIQUE MURET, SUMMONS
Defendants.
To the Person(s) Named as Defendant(s) Above:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Verified
Complaint of the plaintiff(s) herein and to serve a copy of your answer on the plaintiff(s) at the
address indicated below within 20 days after the service of this Summons (not counting the day of
service itself), or within 30 days after service is complete if the Summons is not delivered
personally to you within the State of New York.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT should you fail to answer, a judgment will be entered
against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
The basis of venue is CPLR 503.
Dated: New York, New York
May 17, 2022
By: /s/ William Brown
William Brown, Esq.
BROWN KWON & LAM LLP
521 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10175
Tel.: (212) 295-5828
Fax: (718) 795-1642
wbrown@bkilawyers.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff
TO: Fashion Network
126 Rue Reaumur
Paris, France 75002
Dominique Muret
126 Rue Reaumur
Paris, France 75002
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BROWN KWON & LAM LLP
William Brown, Esq.
521 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10175
Tel.: (212) 295-5828
Fax: (718) 795-1642
wbrown@bkilawyers.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NEW YORK
AMRO ALSOLEIBI,
Plaintiff,
Index No.:
- against -
COMPLAINT
FASHION NETWORK,
and DOMINIQUE MURET, Jury Trial Demanded
Defendants.
Plaintiff AMRO ALSOLEIBI ("Plaintiff"), by and through his undersigned attorneys,
hereby files this Complaint against Defendants FASHION NETWORK ("Corporate Defendant")
Defendant,"
and DOMINIQUE MURET ("Individual and together with Corporate Defendant,
"Defendants") and alleges as follows:
INTRODUCTION
1. This action arises from an article written by Individual Defendant Dominique Muret
and published by Corporate Defendant Fashion Network which contains multiple false and
defamatory statements regarding Plaintiff Amro Alsoleibi.
2. On February 7, 2021, Mr. Alsoleibi filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme
Court against his former employer, fashion designer and brand, Philipp Plein Americas, Inc.
("PPA") and Philipp Plein, alleging that during his employment as a Regional Brand Manager,
2
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Mr. Alsoleibi was subjected to discrimination and harassment on the basis of his gender, sexual
orientation and HIV status, and was subsequently terminated in retaliation for his complaints
regarding PPA and Plein's unlawful conduct in violation of the New York State and City Human
Rights Laws (Index No. 151308/2021).
3. On April 20, 2022, Fashion Network published an article on its website
http://www.fashionnetwork.com, in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese,
funds"
which falsely and maliciously states that Mr. Alsoleibi "perpetrated fraud by diverting from
his former employer, PPA, for a total of $100,000 by invoicing for "fictitious services . . . to a
Atassi."
phantom company owned by Alsoleibi's friend and co-tenant Talal The article further
"cleared" absolved"
states that the New York Supreme Court had and "fully Philipp Plein in the
discrimination lawsuit brought by Mr. Alsoliebi. In realty, no suchdecision has been rendered by
the court, and the litigation against PPA and Plein is ongoing.
Defendants'
4. As a result of intentional and/or reckless disregard for the truth,
Plaintiff's personal and professional reputation have been severely and irreparably damaged and
he therefore seeks from Defendants compensatory damages, punitive damages, as well as
preliminary and permanent injunctive relief.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
5. This Court has jurisdiction over Plaintiff pursuant to CPLR § 301.
6. This Court has jurisdiction over Plaintiff's claims pursuant section 7(a) of the New
York Constitution.
7. The Court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendants as the article was written
about a New York citizen, involving activities that took place primarily within New York,
3
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including a purported court ruling in a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court. As such, New
Defendants'
York is the focal point of tortious activity.
8. Venue is proper in this county pursuant to CPLR § 503 because Plaintiff resides in
New York County.
PARTIES
9. Mr. Alsoleibi, at all times relevant hereto, was and is a resident of New York
County in the State ofNew York.
10. Defendant Fashion Network is a French company, with headquarters located 126
Rue Reaumur, Paris, France, 75002. Fashion Network owns and operates a website
FashionNetwork.com, which claims to have more than 350,000 subscribers to its daily newsletters
and publishes 300 articles daily. Fashion Network further operates around the world, and employs
journalists and editors in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy,
Germany, Spain, China, Russia, Brazil, Japan, India, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey and Colombia.
Therefore, Fashion Network has a global readership, and caters, in particular, to companies and
professionals in the fashion industry.
11. Upon information and belief, Defendant Dominique Muret is a writer/contributor
for Fashion Network, and was the author of the April 20, 2022 article at issue.
STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS
12. On February 7, 2021, Mr. Alsoleibi filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme
Court against his former employer, fashion designer and brand, Philipp Plein Americas, Inc.
("PPA") and Philipp Plein, alleging that during his employment as a Regional Brand Manager
starting in December 2017, he was subjected to discrimination and harassment on the basis of his
gender, sexual orientation and HIV status in violation of the New York State and City Human
4
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NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023
05/17/2022
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF:
Rights Laws. The lawsuit is captioned Amro Alsoleibi v. Philipp Plein Americas, Inc., et al. (Index
Matter"
No. 151308/2021) (the "Plein or "Plein Complaint").
13. Specifically, in the Plein Matter, Mr. Alsoleibi alleges that Mr. Plein and PPA
fostered a hostile work environment by engaging in a pattern and practice of discrimination against
gay men, frequently affirming the macho and toxic masculinity image in his business, and making
gays," gay,"
homophobic comments such as, "I hate to work with "you cannot be too and "our
heterosexual."
men are 100% (Plein Complaint ¶¶ 14-18). Mr. Alsoleibi further alleges that after
Mr. Alsoleibi started speaking up against Mr. Plein's homophobic comments, and Mr. Plein
learned of Mr. Alsoleibi's sexual orientation and HIV-positive status, Mr. Plein and the company
engaged in an escalating series of adverse employment actions against Mr. Alsoleibi, culminating
in his termination in February 2019.
14. On January 28, 2022, Mr. Plein and PPA filed an Answer to the Complaint in the
Plein Matter, denying Mr. Alsoleibi's allegations. The case is currently in the discovery phase,
and to this date, the court has not made any ruling or decision regarding the merits of Mr.
Alsoleibi's claims.
15. Meanwhile, in an unrelated lawsuit filed on June 28, 2019 in New York State
Supreme Court, captioned Talal Atassi et al. v. Philipp Plein Americas, Inc. (Index No.
653776/2019), the plaintiff Talal Atassi alleged that the defendant PPA breached a contract by
failing to make payments for recruiting services rendered by Mr. Atassi and his recruiting company
ASAP Staffing Services, LLC (the "Atassi Matter").
16. Mr. Alsoleibi, in his capacity as the Regional Brand Manager for PPA, was tasked
with staffing PPA's retail stores, and was provided with broad discretion to use whatever means
necessary to carry out that task, including finding and retaining recruiting firms. On multiple
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occasions, Mr. Alsoleibi contracted with recruiting firms, and was expressly authorized to sign
such agreements on PPA's behalf. The standard recruiting agreement entered by PPA provided
for a recruitment fee of 20% of the selected candidate's annual salary to be paid by PPA to the
A."
recruiting firm. See, e.g., SBH Fashion, Inc. Agreement, attached hereto as "Exhibit
17. The contract at issue
Preview
FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 EXHIBIT B FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 The undersigned authority has the honour to certify, in conformity with Article 6 of the ConvenSon, L'autorité soussign e a Phonneur d'attesterconformément à l'article6 de ladite Convention, been-served* 1.that the document has exécutée* que la demande a été - the (date) / le (date): ( oca té, u n méro : - in one of the methods authorised by Article 5: following d ans une des formes suivantes prévues à Fartide 5 : a a) in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph a) of the first paragraph of Article 5 of the Convention* a))* seIon lesformes légales (article5, alinéa premier, lettre b) in accordance with the following particular method*: suivante* : seIon la forme particulière a c) by delivery to the addressee, if he accepts it voluntarily* par remise simple* The documents referred to in the request have been delivered to: Les documents mentionnés dans la demande ont téremis à : Identity and description of person: Identitéet qualité de la personne : Relationship to the addressee (family, business or other)t Liens de parenté,de subordination ou autres, avecle fL. destinataire de Facte: 2.that the document has not been served, by reason of the following facts*: que la demande n'a pas été exécutée, en raison des faits suivants*: O In conformity with the second paragraph of Article 12 of the Convention, the applicant is requested to pay or reimburse the expenses detailed in the attachedstatement*. Conformément à Farticle 12, alinéa 2, de ladite Convention, le requérant est prié de payerou derembourser les frais dont le détail figure au mémoireci-joint*. Annexes / Annexes Documents returned: Pi ces renvoyées: In appropriate cases, documents establishing the service: Le cas échéant, les documentsjustificatifs de Fexécution: o * if appropriate/ s'il alieu . y Done at / Fait à Signature andl r pn¼p b Signature et / oü chbi The / le PermanentBureauJuly 2017 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, signed at The Hague, the 15th of November1965. Convention re[ative à la signification et à la notification à l'étranger des actesjudiciaires ouextrajudiciaires en mati re civile ou commerciale, signée à La Haye le 15 novembre 1965. B p Identity and address of the applicant Address of receiving authority Identitéetadresse du requérant Adresse de l'autorité destinataire WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ. Ministère de la Justice C/o Judicial Process & Support, Inc. Direction des Affaires Civiles etdu Sceau 19 West Flagler Street, #610 Bureau du droitde I'Union, du droit intemational Miami, FL 33130 privé et de l'entraide civile (BDIP) Authorized applicant pursuantto public law 13, Place Vendôme 97-351 of Feb. 26, 1983 which amended rule . 75042 Paris Cedex01 4(c) 2(a) Federal Rules of Civil Procedure France Case Number:154288/2022 The undersigned applicant has the honour to transmit -in duplicate -the documents listed below and, in conformity with Article 5 of the above-mentioned Convention, requests prompt service of one copy thereof on the addressee, i.e.: Le requ rantsoussigné a l'honneurde faire parvenir-en double exemplaire -à l'autoritédestinataire lesdocuments ci-dessousénuméres, en la priant, conformément A l'article 5 de la Convention précit e, en faireremetire sansrelard un exemplaire au destinataire, à savoir: RECU s r (identity and address) (identitéetedresse) FASHION NETWORK 2 Û ú 126 RUE REAUMUR, .. PARIS, FRANCE, 75002 BD P a) in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph a) of the first paragraph of Article 5 of the Convention* selon lesformes légales (artide5, alinda premier, lettre a))" b) in accordance with the following particular method (sub-paragraph b) of the first paragraph of Article 5)*: selon la forme particulière suivante (article 5, alinéa premier, lettre b)*: c) by delivery to the addressee, if he accepts it voluntarily (second paragraph of Article 5)* le cas échéant, parremise simple (article 5, alinéa 2)* The authority is requested to return or to have returned to the applicant a copy of the documents - and of the annexes* - with the attached certificate. Cette autorité est priée de renvoyer ou de faire renvoyer au requérant un exemplaire de l'acte - et de ses annexes* - avec l'attestation ci-jointe_ List of documents / Ènumération des pièces " EXECUTED "REQUEST" IN DUPLICATE a SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT " ALL DOCUMENTS IN DUPLICATE * if appropriate/ s'll a lieu y Done at / Fait à NEW YORK, NY, USA, Signature and/or stamp Signature et / ou cachet The / le YOW n , · PermanentBureauJuly 2017 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 Identity and address of the addressee Identitéetadresse du destinataire FASHION NETWORK 126 RUE REAUMUR, PARIS, FRANCE, 75002 IMPORTANT THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENT IS OF A LEGAL NATURE AND MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS AND SERVED' OBLIGATIONS. THE 'SUMMARY OF THE DOCUMENT TO BE WILL GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATUN ABOUT ITS NATURE AND PURPOSE. YOU SHOULD HOWEVER READ THE DOCUMENT ITSELF CAREFULLY. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO SEEK LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE INSUFFICIENT YOU SHOULD SEEK INFORMATION ON THE POSSIBILITY OF OBTAINING LEGAL AID OR ADVICE EITHER IN THE COUNTRYWHEREYOU LIVE OR IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THE DOCUMENT WAS ISSUED. ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF LEGAL AID OR ADVICE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THE DOCUMENT WAS ISSUED MAY BE DIRECTED TO: TRÈS IMPORTANT LE DOCUMENT CI-JOINT EST DE NATURE JURIDIQUE ET PEUT AFFECTER VOS DROlTS ET OBLIGATIONS. LES « ÉLÉMENTS ESSENTIELS DE L'ACTE » VOUS DONNENT QUELQUES INFORMATIONSSURSANATURE ET SON OBJET. IL EST TOUTEFOIS INDISPENSABLE DE LIRE ATTENTIVEMENT LE TEXTE MÈME DU DOCUMENT. IL PEUT GTRE NÉCESSAIRE DE DEMANDER UN AVIS JURIDIQUE. St VOS RESSOURCES SONT INSUFFISANTES, RENSEIGNEZ-VOUS SUR LA POSSIBILITÉ DŒBTENR L'ASSISTANCE JUDICIAIRE ET LA CONSULTATION J URIDIQUE, SOIT DANS VOTRE PAYS, SOlT DANS LE PAYS DŒRIGINE DU DOCUMENT. LES DEMANDES DE RENSEIGNEMENTS SUR LES POSSIBILITÉS D'OBTENIR L'ASSISTANCE JUDICIAIRE OU LA CONSULTATION JURIDIQUE DANS LE PAYS D'ORIGINE DU DOCUMENT PEUVENT ÈTRE ADRESSÉES  : It is recommended that the standard terms in the notice be written in English and French and where appropriate also in the official language, or in one of the official languages of the State in which the document originated. The blanks could be completed either in the language of the State to which the document is to be sent, or in English or French. II est recommandé que les mentions imprimées dans cette note solent rédigées en langue française et en langue anglaise et le cas échéalt, en outre, dans la langue ou l'une des langues officielles de I'État d'origine de I'acte. Les blancs pourraientêtreremplis, soit dansla langue de I'État ou le documentdoit être adressé, soiten langue frangaise, soiten langueanglaise. PermanentBureauJuly 2017 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, signed at The Hague, the 15th of November 1965 (Article 5, fourth paragraph). Convention relative à la signification et à la notification à >étranger des actes judiciaires ou extrajudiciaires en matière civile ou commerciale, signée à La Haye le 15 novembre 1965 (article 5, alinéa 4). Name and address of the requesting authority: WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ. Nom et adresse de l'autorité requérante : c/o Judicial Process and Support, Inc. 19 W. Flagler St., #610, Miami, Fl. 33130 Particulars of the parties*: AMRO ALSOLEIBI VS. FASHION NETWORK, Identité des parties* : ET AL CASE NO. 154288/2022 * If appropriate,identity and addressof the personinterestedInthe transmissionof the document S'ily a lieu,identitéetadressedelapersonne intéressée a latransmission deracts DOCUMENT** O JUDICIAL ACTE JUDICIAIRE** Nature and purpose of the document: TO GIVE NOTICE THAT THE PLAINTIFF HAS Nature et objet de >acte : FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT Natum and purpose of the proceedings and, DEFAMATION FOR ARTICLE CONTAINING when appropriate, the amount in dispute: FALSE AND DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS ON Nature et objet de rinstance, le cas échéant, le montent DEFENDANTS' FASHION NEWS WEBSITE. du litige : Date and Place for entering appearance**: FILE ANSWER WITH: Date et lieu de la comparution** : SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK, CLERK OF COURT 60 CENTRE STREET NEW YORK, NY 10007 A COPY OF THE ANSWER MUST BE MAILED TO: WILLIAM BROWN, ESQ. 521 5TH AVENUE 17TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10175 Court which has given judgment**: N/A Juridiction qui a rendu la decision** : Date of judgment**: N/A Date de la décision** : Time limits stated in the document**: ANSWER OR RESPONSE IS DUE 20 DAYS Indication des délais figurant dans l'acte** : AFTER SERVICE UPON YOU. ** if appropriate/ s'il a lieu y DOCUMENT** O EXTRAJUDICIAL ACTE EXTRAJUDICIAIRE** PermanentBureauJuly 2017 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 Natureand purpose ofthe document: N/A Natureetobjetderacte: Time4imits statedin the document**: N/A IndicationdesdélaisfigurantdansFacte**: ** if appropriate/ s"il a lieu y PermanentBureauJuly 2017 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 011/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 F ILED NEW YORK INDEX NO. 154288/2022 : COUNTY CLERK 5 /17 2 0 2 2 10 : 0 2 / PM| NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/17/2022 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW Y ORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK AMRO ALSOLEIBI, Plaintiff, - against - Index No: FASHION NETWORK, and DOMINIQUE MURET, SUMMONS Defendants. To the Person(s) Named as Defendant(s) Above: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Verified Complaint of the plaintiff(s) herein and to serve a copy of your answer on the plaintiff(s) at the address indicated below within 20 days after the service of this Summons (not counting the day of service itself), or within 30 days after service is complete if the Summons is not delivered personally to you within the State of New York. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT should you fail to answer, a judgment will be entered against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. The basis of venue is CPLR 503. Dated: New York, New York May 17, 2022 By: /s/ William Brown William Brown, Esq. BROWN KWON & LAM LLP 521 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor New York, NY 10175 Tel.: (212) 295-5828 Fax: (718) 795-1642 wbrown@bkilawyers.com Attorneys for Plaintiff TO: Fashion Network 126 Rue Reaumur Paris, France 75002 Dominique Muret 126 Rue Reaumur Paris, France 75002 1 of 12 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 011/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 FILED NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK INDEX NO. 154288/2022 : 5 /17 2 0 2 2 10 : 0 2 / PM| NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/17/2022 BROWN KWON & LAM LLP William Brown, Esq. 521 Fifth Avenue, 17th Floor New York, NY 10175 Tel.: (212) 295-5828 Fax: (718) 795-1642 wbrown@bkilawyers.com Attorneys for Plaintiff SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK AMRO ALSOLEIBI, Plaintiff, Index No.: - against - COMPLAINT FASHION NETWORK, and DOMINIQUE MURET, Jury Trial Demanded Defendants. Plaintiff AMRO ALSOLEIBI ("Plaintiff"), by and through his undersigned attorneys, hereby files this Complaint against Defendants FASHION NETWORK ("Corporate Defendant") Defendant," and DOMINIQUE MURET ("Individual and together with Corporate Defendant, "Defendants") and alleges as follows: INTRODUCTION 1. This action arises from an article written by Individual Defendant Dominique Muret and published by Corporate Defendant Fashion Network which contains multiple false and defamatory statements regarding Plaintiff Amro Alsoleibi. 2. On February 7, 2021, Mr. Alsoleibi filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court against his former employer, fashion designer and brand, Philipp Plein Americas, Inc. ("PPA") and Philipp Plein, alleging that during his employment as a Regional Brand Manager, 2 2 of 12 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK CLERK 05/17/2022 11/08/20231006:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 F ILED INDEX NO. 154288/2022 : NEW YORK COUNTY : 0 2 PM NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/17/2022 Mr. Alsoleibi was subjected to discrimination and harassment on the basis of his gender, sexual orientation and HIV status, and was subsequently terminated in retaliation for his complaints regarding PPA and Plein's unlawful conduct in violation of the New York State and City Human Rights Laws (Index No. 151308/2021). 3. On April 20, 2022, Fashion Network published an article on its website http://www.fashionnetwork.com, in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, funds" which falsely and maliciously states that Mr. Alsoleibi "perpetrated fraud by diverting from his former employer, PPA, for a total of $100,000 by invoicing for "fictitious services . . . to a Atassi." phantom company owned by Alsoleibi's friend and co-tenant Talal The article further "cleared" absolved" states that the New York Supreme Court had and "fully Philipp Plein in the discrimination lawsuit brought by Mr. Alsoliebi. In realty, no suchdecision has been rendered by the court, and the litigation against PPA and Plein is ongoing. Defendants' 4. As a result of intentional and/or reckless disregard for the truth, Plaintiff's personal and professional reputation have been severely and irreparably damaged and he therefore seeks from Defendants compensatory damages, punitive damages, as well as preliminary and permanent injunctive relief. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. This Court has jurisdiction over Plaintiff pursuant to CPLR § 301. 6. This Court has jurisdiction over Plaintiff's claims pursuant section 7(a) of the New York Constitution. 7. The Court has personal jurisdiction over the Defendants as the article was written about a New York citizen, involving activities that took place primarily within New York, 3 3 of 12 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/17 11/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 INDEX NO. 154288/2022 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK /2022 10: 02 PM| NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/17/2022 including a purported court ruling in a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court. As such, New Defendants' York is the focal point of tortious activity. 8. Venue is proper in this county pursuant to CPLR § 503 because Plaintiff resides in New York County. PARTIES 9. Mr. Alsoleibi, at all times relevant hereto, was and is a resident of New York County in the State ofNew York. 10. Defendant Fashion Network is a French company, with headquarters located 126 Rue Reaumur, Paris, France, 75002. Fashion Network owns and operates a website FashionNetwork.com, which claims to have more than 350,000 subscribers to its daily newsletters and publishes 300 articles daily. Fashion Network further operates around the world, and employs journalists and editors in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, China, Russia, Brazil, Japan, India, Mexico, Portugal, Turkey and Colombia. Therefore, Fashion Network has a global readership, and caters, in particular, to companies and professionals in the fashion industry. 11. Upon information and belief, Defendant Dominique Muret is a writer/contributor for Fashion Network, and was the author of the April 20, 2022 article at issue. STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS 12. On February 7, 2021, Mr. Alsoleibi filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court against his former employer, fashion designer and brand, Philipp Plein Americas, Inc. ("PPA") and Philipp Plein, alleging that during his employment as a Regional Brand Manager starting in December 2017, he was subjected to discrimination and harassment on the basis of his gender, sexual orientation and HIV status in violation of the New York State and City Human 4 4 of 12 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 05/17/2022 11/08/2023 10:02 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 INDEX NO. 154288/2022 F ILED : NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK PlÈ NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 05/17/2022 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: Rights Laws. The lawsuit is captioned Amro Alsoleibi v. Philipp Plein Americas, Inc., et al. (Index Matter" No. 151308/2021) (the "Plein or "Plein Complaint"). 13. Specifically, in the Plein Matter, Mr. Alsoleibi alleges that Mr. Plein and PPA fostered a hostile work environment by engaging in a pattern and practice of discrimination against gay men, frequently affirming the macho and toxic masculinity image in his business, and making gays," gay," homophobic comments such as, "I hate to work with "you cannot be too and "our heterosexual." men are 100% (Plein Complaint ¶¶ 14-18). Mr. Alsoleibi further alleges that after Mr. Alsoleibi started speaking up against Mr. Plein's homophobic comments, and Mr. Plein learned of Mr. Alsoleibi's sexual orientation and HIV-positive status, Mr. Plein and the company engaged in an escalating series of adverse employment actions against Mr. Alsoleibi, culminating in his termination in February 2019. 14. On January 28, 2022, Mr. Plein and PPA filed an Answer to the Complaint in the Plein Matter, denying Mr. Alsoleibi's allegations. The case is currently in the discovery phase, and to this date, the court has not made any ruling or decision regarding the merits of Mr. Alsoleibi's claims. 15. Meanwhile, in an unrelated lawsuit filed on June 28, 2019 in New York State Supreme Court, captioned Talal Atassi et al. v. Philipp Plein Americas, Inc. (Index No. 653776/2019), the plaintiff Talal Atassi alleged that the defendant PPA breached a contract by failing to make payments for recruiting services rendered by Mr. Atassi and his recruiting company ASAP Staffing Services, LLC (the "Atassi Matter"). 16. Mr. Alsoleibi, in his capacity as the Regional Brand Manager for PPA, was tasked with staffing PPA's retail stores, and was provided with broad discretion to use whatever means necessary to carry out that task, including finding and retaining recruiting firms. On multiple 5 5 of 12 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 0511/08/2023 06:59 PM INDEX NO. 154288/2022 INDEX NO. 154288/2022 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK /17 /2022 10 : 02 PM| NYSCEF DOC. NO. 33 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/08/2023 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/17/2022 occasions, Mr. Alsoleibi contracted with recruiting firms, and was expressly authorized to sign such agreements on PPA's behalf. The standard recruiting agreement entered by PPA provided for a recruitment fee of 20% of the selected candidate's annual salary to be paid by PPA to the A." recruiting firm. See, e.g., SBH Fashion, Inc. Agreement, attached hereto as "Exhibit 17. The contract at issue