Michael Stern Sues John Doe Behind Online 'Smear Campaign'
JDS Development CEO Michael Stern is suing to unmask the mystery figure behind a website and social media accounts accusing him of fraud.
Stern and his New York- and Miami-based development firm filed a lawsuit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court last week, asking a judge to identify the owner of a website and three social media accounts that were launched in March for the purpose of “exposing” Stern's allegedly fraudulent dealings.
Stern's lawsuit says the individual behind the “demonstrably false — and highly defamatory” online campaign is likely a competitor in the cutthroat world of luxury condo development. The suit was filed against a John Doe, the anonymous owner of the JDSPulse.com website and related social media accounts.
The developer is seeking to uncover the person's identity and gain court approval to subpoena those involved in publishing the content. The website is hosted by a Phoenix-based web service that uses an Iceland-based proxy to conceal the owner's identity, the suit alleges.
“The perpetrator has taken pains to disguise their identity,” the lawsuit says. “Through this lawsuit, plaintiffs will uncover who is defaming them and hold them accountable.”
The lawsuit says Stern and his company have lost business opportunities, investors and contacts and have spent “considerable sums” addressing the harm to their reputation.
“The website has already been the subject of several unpleasant conversations between Plaintiffs and current and prospective investors,” Stern's lawsuit says.
JDS is known for its work in New York and Miami, like the Mercedes Benz Places Miami 791-condo project in Brickell, the Dolce & Gabbana Residences at 888 Brickell Ave., the 111 W. 57th St. supertall in Manhattan and the Brooklyn Tower.
An archived version of the website from early April compiled past allegations of fraud, breach of contract and unethical business practices made by former partners, investors, suppliers and contractors, according to the Internet Archive. The site now says it is undergoing maintenance “due to hacker attacks.”
“We will tear off the mask of a successful businessman from Michael Stern’s face,” the archived website said.
The lawsuit claims the website and social media accounts falsely describe Stern as a convicted felon, although the archived version of the site had no mention of a felony conviction, and Stern doesn't have a conviction on his record.
The website also accused Stern of unethical practices, fraudulent dealings, forged documents and financial manipulation.
The site listed four “notable projects under scrutiny,” including Miami Beach luxury condo development Monad Terrace, which faced a foreclosure suit from lender EO Monad Terrace before construction began in 2017, The Real Deal reported. JDS eventually completed the project in 2020.
Another project listed is the 93-story 9 DeKalb, or Brooklyn Tower, which JDS handed to lender Silverstein Properties in July to avoid foreclosure.
The affiliated JDSPulse social media pages — created on X, Instagram and Facebook in March — commented on announcements about JDS projects and linked to the website, claiming to offer “information alleging fraudulent activities involving Michael Stern and his affiliated entities.”
Stern has found himself entangled in other legal challenges. Last year, a charter flight company sued JDS for allegedly failing to pay for private flights between Florida, New York and the Caribbean islands in 2022 and 2023, Crain's New York Business reported.
JDS and its attorneys, Grace Mead and Joseph Onorati with Stearns Weaver Miller, didn't respond to Bisnow’s request for comment.
