With voters set to head to the polls on Tuesday, State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) is facing a new controversy: a defamation and conspiracy lawsuit filed by Birmingham attorney and developer Eric Guster, who says Givan and two co-conspirators smeared him with false claims on social media.

The complaint, filed last week in the Jefferson County Circuit Court, names Givan, consultant Carlos Chaverst, and former mayoral aide Kwani Carson as defendants.

According to the filings, Guster accuses them of spreading false claims that he engaged in domestic violence and burned down his law office for insurance money.

The lawsuit seeks damages for defamation, negligence, recklessness, and conspiracy, along with an injunction to prevent the defendants from making further public statements about him.

In a Facebook Live video, Guster said the accusations were coordinated and intended to harm his reputation. He described the allegations as “lies” and strongly denied ever having a history of domestic violence. “I have never had a domestic incident in my life,” Guster said, adding that he has “no skeletons” from his past.

He said he was pursuing the lawsuit not only to clear his name but to hold accountable those who use social media to spread falsehoods.

Givan responded in her own Facebook Live.

“I have not said one thing that is not true,” Givan said, adding that she plans to file a counter-lawsuit in response.

Givan has represented Alabama House District 60 since 2010. In 2024, she ran unsuccessfully for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, far outside of her home district, and will be up for re-election to her state legislative seat in 2026.

Her defamation case now moves to Jefferson County Circuit Court, where a judge will decide whether the claims brought forward by both sides will proceed.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.