‘Taliban Toyota’: Auto Dealership Must Pay $7.5 Million for Smearing Competitor
- Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:15am by
Becket Adams
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During these tough economic times, businesses are looking for new and inventive ways to keep ahead of the competition. Here’s a quick tip (free of charge!) for businesses that want to increase their profit margins: don’t arbitrarily accuse your rival of being a secret Taliban agent.
That’s exactly what employees at Bob Tyler Toyota of Pensacola, FL., did. They accused Shawn Esfahani, the owner of Eastern Shore Toyota in Daphne, AL., of being a covert Taliban agent and they were subsequently sued for millions.
Fred Kenner, a sales manager at Bob Tyler, told at least one couple who were considering buying from Eastern Shore Toyota that they shouldn’t support the Alabama dealership because the Iranian-born owner was “helping fund the insurgents [in Iran] and is also laundering money for them,” reports Reuters.
Bob Tyler employees also told the same couple that “Esfahani was from Iraq and [called] him a ‘terrorist’ who put soldiers including the salesman‘s brother in harm’s way,” Reuters added.
“I have a brother over there and what you’re doing is helping kill my brother,” a salesman told the couple, according to the suit.
Bob Tyler employees also commonly referred to Esfahani’s dealership as “Middle Eastern Shore Toyota” and “Taliban Toyota.”
And just in case customers weren’t convinced, Bob Tyler employees actually accused Esfahani of “funneling money back to his family and other terrorists” on more than one occasion.
Really? He works for the Taliban? That’s shocking! Well, it would be shocking if there were any sort of evidence to back up these claims.
Turns out that the Bob Tyler employees didn’t have any.
Esfahani, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen, fled his native Iran (not Iraq) in 1980 following the Islamic revolution that toppled the U.S.-backed Shah and swept Shi’ite Muslim clergy to power. Although he couldn’t speak English when he arrived in America, Esfahani claims he got ahead by “sleeping less, working harder and reading more” than his colleagues, reports the Pensacola News Journal.
Also, it should be noted that the Taliban (the terror organization Bob Tyler employees accused Esfahani of aiding) are hardcore radical jihadists primarily located in Afghanistan and Pakistan (as many Blaze readers are well aware). Although there is an argument to be made for some collaboration between Iran and the Taliban, it would probably be best not to accuse a rival dealership of being involved unless there is hard evidence.
Needless to say, Esfahani brought a slander lawsuit against the rival dealership and sought $28 million in damages. Although he won the lawsuit (it only took the jury three hours to decide), he was awarded a much smaller amount: $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
“The feeling I received in the courtroom for the truth to come out was worth a lot more than any money anybody can give me,” Esfahani said.
“This case didn’t take aim at just Mr. Tyler,” he said. “It was intended to address any other business that resorts to those kinds of actions to win at their game unfairly.”
(h/t Newser)
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Comments (44)
garbagecanlogic
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 12:59pmNot exactly being sure of your facts before you open your mouth. Gonna have to sell a hellava lot of cars to make up for the millions they lost on the lawsuit. Nx time I’ll bet they check their facts.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
TH30PH1LUS
Posted on November 5, 2011 at 4:31amThis article highlights why we are so fortunate to live in a nation ruled by laws. People will do pernicious and nasty things, and no government can prevent that (only a relationship with Jesus Christ). But laws protect citizens and give us the ability to defend and fight back legally against wrongdoing.
An example of why the anarchist OWS thugs in Oakland are so obviously WRONG.
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 12:31pmReminds me of the 40′s-60′s. Nothing new under the sun…they need to come to terms with Jesus. At the cross there is no color, no ethnic boundaries…at the cross we are all the same.
Report Post »pedink
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 12:30pmi know bob tyler he is a complete jerk
Report Post »dirtydog1776
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:40amSorry, Bob Tyler Toyota and his employees, were wrong in what they did and deserved to be sued. I do not think the fine was reasonable (might put them out of business, adding to unemployment woes) but the law was applied appropriately in this case.
Nothing wrong with legal immigration, just illegal immigration.
Good thing Shawn Esfahani was not a Taliban agents or we would have Obama and Al Sharpton marching and protesting in front of the dealerships.
Report Post »TheSitRep
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:12amI have Iranian friends that totally hate Iranian culture and it’s religion.
One friend of mine who’s name was Abdulivisad (SP?)changed his name to Steve and when he had a son he named him David as a slap in the face to Islam.
Report Post »MartyTr
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:44pmSteven was the first Christian martyr.
Report Post »LMW
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:46amWe ask Immigrants to come legally & become citizens then we call them traitors to this country because of their race or background. I do not like the Taliban or any group who wants to destroy this country. This man & his family are legal Americans & are entitled to the respect that any hard working American is due. As too foreigners owning businesses you too are from a family of Foreigners who came to this country at one time Mr.Tyler. I’m sure there are Businesses and Mosques that are nothing more then fronts for Taliban or other such groups that intend to destroy this country. To say all Iranians or Arabs or any race are of the same ilk is wrong. Just take a look in the mirror Mr.Union Member to see one of the greatest threats to this country. Most Union Members have no idea as to the real meaning of the Unions or it’s objectives. Ask Germany from WWlI. I get tired of Americans griping because we have lost our ambition for hard work & ambition. We just want to be given everything as our right while new legal Americans of all races have come & are earning their rights the same as our fathers did. We are so lazy we have even let our own Government take the Constitution & trample all over it. Just so you know Mr.Tyler I am a 69 year old White American & am sick & tired of people like you. God has given us this beautiful country & we are destroying it. PS: This is a Republic not a Democracy. Look up the difference America to see what we are losing.
Report Post »rdk
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:33amI have been driving Toyotas since 1968. I moved to Alabama three years ago and have been a customer of Esfahani’s dealership. It is among the best, if not the best.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 12:22pmWhere’s “You’re Senseless“ or ”Encinom” trashing us for ur bigotry and intolerance? Where?
Report Post »Godspeed7
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:14amThe “what If?” in me hopes that Mr. Esfahani isn’t a muslim practicing taquia. Hopefully, when he came to the United States he converted to a religion that doesn’t condone lying to glorify and better the religion.
I am most happy for anyone to come to our country . . . LEAGALLY ! ! ! . . . and make it. And God bless them even more if they make it big! We just need to protect and preserve the system that made it possible. Are there people flocking to islamic countries in order to have more freedom and financial prosperity in their life? No. It’s too bad Mr Esfahani has to come under more scrutiny due to his place of birth but if he is a REAL DEAL American he will go out of his way to say he is against what his country of orgin is about and advocate and continue to be an example of assimilation. Should his finances be looked at more than a dealership owner with the last name of Smith who was born in Kansas . . . probably. But if he is a REAL DEAL American he would go out of his way to be ready to show he has no ties to anything that would even hint as being tied with anything supporting terrorism. He strikes me as being less apt to be on the enemy’s side but in war, you never know. Trust yet verify.
Should a business financially benefit from slandering another? Obviously no.
I have mixed feelings on this one.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:02amSticks and Stones may break my bones,but names can earn me money. The guy escaped Iran,and is probably as big of a Patriot as most of us. Leave this guy alone,go after ILLEGAL Immigrants.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 12:54pmIf he is still a Muslim, I don’t trust him.
Report Post »captainbars
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:46amwe’ve got millions of illegals sneaking around, living in the shadows, having citizenship privileges handed to them on a silver platter while liberals and pc crowd bend over backwards providing laws so they can speak and read in their own language. Learning a new language, applying for citizenship, obeying the laws, takes time and work and this guy proves once again that it can be done. Illegals are sluggards…lazy immature adults coddled by liberals and democrats from a distance so they won’t have to clean up any messes.
Report Post »tbeachhead
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:34amCongratulations to Mr. Esfahani. Few Americans can understand the pain of being forced to leave your own native land, due to the ignorance and blood thirsty evil of a few. God bless the Iranians who long for freedom…and God grant them peace and a pleasant home.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 10:41amI know a couple of Iranians that came over when the Shaw fell. They are capitalists through and through and have done well. I think the people of Iran are a notch above the rest of their neighbors. If that regime would fall, I think a lot of problems would be resolved. You never know though.
Report Post »studentofeib
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:15amSomething is missing,, dont know what,, but this all doesnt add up….Methinks there is more to this story!
Report Post »johnnyquest
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:03amnow glenn beck needs to stop doing radio ads for bob tyler. i live in pensacola and have heard over and over glenn talk about how bob tyler is a proud veteran who not only flys the flag but will give you one for taking a test drive.
well, this former marine shops with his eyes open and his mind working. none of bob tylers people ever said anything about eastern shore to me but the eastern shore guy told me they were hearing alot of trash talk from bob tylers salesmen
i knew some iranians that came over when the shah fell and you couldnt find any more pro american people.i bought my corolla from eastern shore because they had the better deal.
Report Post »chasbronson
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:02amSlander is one thing ,but unfair business practice is another.How many years does a foreigner get to operate a business tax free in the US? Putting their American competitor across the street out of business.I have seen it happen.That is not right either.
Report Post »DaytonConserve
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:52amFive years and then they transfer it to a ‘cousine’ and the clock starts all over again.
Report Post »just happy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 11:00amThat is a myth that seems to NEVER be allowed to die!!! this is a Glenn Beck Website, CHECK YOUR “FACTS”
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 12:03pmHow about the smears, lies, and libel committed by the President of the United States, Nancy Pelosi, PMSNBC .. etc .. against the TEA Party? We have been slandered over and over ..
TEA!
Report Post »grickm
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:59amWatch your grammar and word use, Blaze. “employees got there information” really?? They went somewhere to get THEIR information?
Report Post »gjetson_1911
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:40amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgxY-HKgjIw&feature=related
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:07amSo you think that links Glenn to Bob Tyler? You are no better than Bob Tyler himself. You did the same thing he did! What a moron you are…Like that egg on your face?
Report Post »gjetson_1911
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:42pmNo, I like Glenn Beck. I just hated hearing him advertise this way for Bob Tyler everyday on the radio station I listen to him.
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:40ampathetic… heads should roll for this BS.
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:21amThe lawsuit was not about cash, it was about courage… $7.5 million in courage.
Report Post »village idiot
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:15amThe guy with the beard look more like he is a part of the Taliban.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:13am“Although he spoke no English when he arrived in America, Esfahani claims that he got ahead by “sleeping less, working harder and reading more” than his colleagues…”
Hello? Other illegals out there? Have your translator read that sentence to you then go out there and bust your butt to learn English and to get ahead!! What’s so hard to understand about that simple concept???
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:25amOops! Should have said, “All you illegals…”
No coffee yet this morning. ;)
Report Post »Cat
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:13amBob must have seen the movie, ‘Used Cars’
Report Post »The epitome of liberal salesmanship
KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:34amBoycott all foreign businesses, foreign products and don’t hire foreign employees! Get a sense of nationalism and take your country back Americans!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:33amtroll alert
Report Post »KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:33amWonderful, more redistribution of wealth from Americans to foreigners. This is a call to all Americans to boycott foreign businesses, foreign products, and don’t hire foreign employees! Take your country back from the foreign invaders that have been allowed to slowly steal our country and our freedom because of our corrupt politicians!
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 9:40amDoes that include South Americans?.
Report Post »GLOBALCRASH
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:28amYou don’t have to like your competition, but you can’t go around slandering them, especially like this! Too bad LIBS don’t understand this!!
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:25amSaying what they said about him with no evidence was really dumb. If there were evidence that he was funneling money to the Taliban it would have probably not made any difference in the outcome of the trial….But that is where we are headed…
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