Railroad Crossings owner Adam Kaye sued by Kosta's Subs N Salads owner in defamation suit
Railroad Crossings property owner Adam Kaye is facing a defamation lawsuit stemming from comments made on social media regarding longtime restaurant Kosta's Subs N Salads.
Restaurant owner Yousry Attalla is seeking $30,000 in damages for his inability to relocate his restaurant after being evicted from the South Adams shopping center acquired by Kaye in January.
The lawsuit contends Kaye made false statements regarding payments made toward Kosta's lease agreement with the previous owner, along with on-site property restrictions that impacted the restaurant's operations.
Kaye's comments included an allegation that Attalla had not been able to pay his full rent amount.
Attalla disputes this and other characterizations made on social media about Kosta's, which has been owned by Attalla for 20 years and operating in Tallahassee for a total of 30 years.
"The defamatory statements were false because Kosta's paid its rent in full under its then existing lease with its landlord for years absent issue," the lawsuit said. "Kosta's paid its full rent to Railroad Crossings under the Operable Lease Agreement."
The 21,000 square-foot Railroad Crossings is an extension of the art park and Railroad Village, a former cluster of old warehouses now used by local artists and slated to be an affordable housing and warehouse district concept.
When contacted by the Tallahassee Democrat, Kaye said, "We intend to respond to the lawsuit." He had no further comment.
Contact TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com or follow @TaMarynWaters on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Railroad Crossings owner Adam Kaye sued Kosta's Subs N Salads owner
