Fighting Back Against a Viral Smear Campaign That Cost Me My Business
A competitor posted fabricated screenshots of 'conversations' with me on Twitter/X in January 2024, claiming I had made racist and misogynistic remarks to customers. The posts went viral with over 500,000 impressions before experts confirmed the screenshots were digitally altered.
Despite the fraud being documented, the reputational damage was done. My small landscaping business lost 70% of its contracts within 30 days. Two major clients dropped us citing 'reputational risk.' I have since filed a defamation lawsuit, but litigation is expensive and slow.
I built Ruiz Landscaping over 14 years. The funds raised here will support my legal case, help cover payroll while revenue recovers, and allow me to fight for the justice every small business owner deserves when targeted by fabricated attacks.
Despite the fraud being documented, the reputational damage was done. My small landscaping business lost 70% of its contracts within 30 days. Two major clients dropped us citing 'reputational risk.' I have since filed a defamation lawsuit, but litigation is expensive and slow.
I built Ruiz Landscaping over 14 years. The funds raised here will support my legal case, help cover payroll while revenue recovers, and allow me to fight for the justice every small business owner deserves when targeted by fabricated attacks.