Activists Sued Candidate Priscilla Gonzalez for Defamation
The lawsuit alleges the Congressional candidate falsely accused two individuals of battery and stalking online.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Law
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Two Lafayette residents, Matthew Humphrey and Aimee Boyd Robinson, filed a defamation lawsuit against Congressional candidate Priscilla Gonzalez. The plaintiffs allege that Gonzalez made repeated false claims of harassment and battery against them on social media.
Why it matters
The legal action highlights the ongoing conflict between the candidate and the activists following a previous court ruling that disqualified Gonzalez from the 2023 Lafayette mayor-president race.
The lawsuit, filed on September 25, 2026, relies on specific social media posts and press conference statements attributed to Gonzalez. The plaintiffs are seeking both general and special damages alongside a permanent injunction.
The players
Priscilla Gonzalez
She is a Congressional candidate who was previously disqualified from the 2023 Lafayette mayor-president race.
Matthew Humphrey
He is one of the two plaintiffs in the defamation lawsuit who previously sent a cease and desist letter to the candidate.
Aimee Boyd Robinson
She is a co-plaintiff in the defamation lawsuit who alleges she was falsely accused of harassment by the candidate.
The details
The plaintiffs claim that Gonzalez falsely labeled them as dangerous, including social media posts that accused them of battery, stalking, and harassment. This legal battle follows a 2023 ruling where a Lafayette judge disqualified Gonzalez from a mayoral race due to failures in residency and voter registration requirements.
Timeline
A Lafayette judge disqualified Gonzalez from the mayoral race in August 2023.
Matthew Humphrey issued a cease and desist letter to Gonzalez on August 19, 2023.
Gonzalez published a comment calling Humphrey violent on May 15, 2026.
A Facebook post accusing Robinson of harassment was published on September 1, 2026.
The defamation lawsuit was filed in court on September 25, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents and local critics of Gonzalez emphasize that her history of residency issues and court-ordered disqualification reflects a pattern of challenging institutional norms. This defamation case is viewed by her critics as a continuation of these ongoing political and legal disputes.
This litigation may result in new court-mandated restrictions on the candidate's public communication regarding the plaintiffs. Residents should be aware that the legal proceedings could influence the local Congressional campaign narrative in the coming months.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder of the legal risks associated with making public allegations on social media platforms. Individuals engaged in political disputes should document interactions carefully as public accusations can lead to formal civil litigation.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Law section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Advocate.
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