Documents filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, related to case number 07-21228, list 19 witnesses who are believed to be members of the Royal Order of Jesters (ROJ) AKA Shriners AKA Masons, who are expected to testify about fishing trips to Brazil and:
"their first hand knowledge of prostitution, minor prostitution, use of illegal drugs and/or entry into Indian reservations by Schair (plaintiff) and/or his customers."
The libel/slander complaint was filed on May 11, 2007 by Richard W. Schair and Wet-A-Line Tours, L.L.C., plaintiffs, who allege that they were libeled and slandered by Amazon Tours, Inc., defendant, owned by Philip Marstellar, President.
The complaint alleges that Amazon Tours, Inc.:
"has developed a great deal of animosity towards his business competitors including, in particular, Mr. Schair and Wet-A-line Tours, L.L.C. and that defendant's animosity has manifested itself on many occasions, and most recently in the Miami International Airport where he made and/or published defamatory comments and false accusations about Richard W. Schair and Wet-A-line Tours, L.L.C. to the public and, upon information and belief, to government agents."
The causes of action include slander, slander per se and tortuous interference with business relationship, for which Schair is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $75,000. The complaint alleges that Amazon Tours, Inc. told a group at the Miami International Airport that Schair was smuggling drugs and was using the yachts that the clients stay onboard in Brazil to move illegal drugs and that they should avoid booking any tours with the Wet-A-Line Tours, L.L.C. because of Schair's "drug connections." It also alleges that defendant "knowingly made a false and defamatory report to the Homeland Security Department for the purpose of injury to Schair by causing him embarrassment in front of his clients."
In response, Amazon Tours, Inc. answered the complaint by stating that the business did not make false statements against Schair, that Schair is not entitled to any relief due to the "doctrine of unclean hands," and demanded a jury trial. Amazon Tours, Inc. submitted a Defendants' Pretrial Witness List on December 20, 2007 that lists the name, address and phone number of those so called and the subject of expected testimony. Of the 57 witnesses named, 19, or one third of them, are believed to be members of the Royal Order of Jesters.
The Royal Order of Jesters is a secret fraternal group made up of invited Shriners who, in turn, must be Master Masons. The ROJ and Shriners enjoy the benefits of being classified by the IRS as both non profit charity and fraternal groups.
The Jesters' motto is:
"I am a Jester. What I see here, What I hear here, Shall stay here, When I leave here."
The Royal Order of Jesters was investigated by the Grand Lodge of Texas in 2005 after they received a complaint alleging that:
•Prostitutes were available for Jesters to have their way with
•Brothers had sex in front of other brothers
•Brothers held oral sex competitions
•Potentates, Chaplains, Attorneys, Judges and Past Masters were Jesters
•Sex, illegal gambling and alcohol were the preferred order of business
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