Ovik Mkrtchyan Says Lawsuit Is About Clearing His Name After Alleged Reputational Campaign

Ovik Mkrtchyan brought a lawsuit with Gor Investment against Straife, its chief executive Joseph Fleming, and Washington lobbyist Stephen Payne. The claims include defamation, tortious interference, injurious falsehood, and civil conspiracy. Mkrtchyan says the events caused profound and lasting harm to him and his family that money cannot fully repair. He also alleges an ongoing smear campaign has placed at least thousands of false publications online to cause further harm. He seeks court-ordered transparency about what happened and to prevent others from suffering similar harm. The complaint alleges Straife and Fleming advised Mkrtchyan and Gor on sensitive strategic and risk matters for which they received more than $100,000 in fees, and that Payne introduced Mkrtchyan to Fleming and Straife.

"“The events described in the complaint caused profound and lasting harms to me and my family that no amount of money can fully repair. In addition, the ongoing smear campaign against me has now placed at least thousands of false publications online in an effort to cause further harm. By seeking justice in the courts, I hope to bring appropriate transparency to what happened and to ensure that others do not suffer in the way that we did.”"

"“I stand behind the lawsuit and there is nothing I wish to add to the detailed complaint, as those matters will be addressed through the legal process.”"

"The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, names Straife, a corporate intelligence firm with a Washington presence; its chief executive, Joseph Fleming; and Stephen Payne, a Washington lobbyist who, according to the complaint, has marketed his Washington connections and experience working in the George W. Bush White House. The plaintiffs bring claims including defamation, tortious interference, injurious falsehood and civil conspiracy."

"At the heart of the case is Mkrtchyan's allegation that people he once dealt with as advisers or associates later helped his adversaries damage him. According to the complaint, Straife and Fleming advised Mkrtchyan and Gor from 2022 on sensitive strategic and risk matters, receiving more than $100,000 in fees. Payne, who allegedly worked with Mkrtchyan and his companies from around 2016, is said to have introduced him to Fleming and Straife."

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