FIGHTING BACK

Elon Musk Sued by British Diver He Called a ‘Pedo Guy,’ ‘Child Rapist’

“Musk’s influence and wealth cannot convert his lies into truth or protect him from accountability for his wrongdoing in a court of law,” said Unsworth’s lawyer.

British diver and Thai cave rescuer Vernon Unsworth reportedly filed suit against Elon Musk Monday, alleging that Musk libeled and slandered him when he called Unsworth a “pedo guy” and a “child rapist” in recent months. CNBC reports that the lawsuit is the culmination of months of heated debate between Unsworth and the Tesla CEO, which first began when Tesla sent a submarine to aid in the rescue of 12 boys from a cave in Thailand this July. Tesla’s offer was rejected, and Unsworth—an experienced diver who came to Thailand to help with the rescue—was quoted by CNN saying that it “had absolutely no chance of working.” Musk fired back on Twitter, writing that “We will make one (video) of the mini-sub/pod going all the way to Cave 5 no problem. Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it.” The tweet has since been deleted. In later emails to Buzzfeed News, Musk claimed that Unsworth was a “child rapist” who moved to Thailand to take a child bride. Unsworth has categorically denied all of Musk’s claims, and there is no evidence to suggest that any of them are true. Unsworth is now seeking more than $75,000 in damages, The Blast reports. “Elon Musk falsely accused Vern Unsworth of being guilty of heinous crimes,” Unsworth’s attorney told The Blast. “Musk’s influence and wealth cannot convert his lies into truth or protect him from accountability for his wrongdoing in a court of law.”