Starr Manufacturing Inc. has sued Julie Watson for defamation following her 1-star Google review, which claimed the company faced quality issues.

Updated on: Aug 22, 2026, 18:05:53 IST

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A company has initiated legal action against a woman following her one-star review on Google. Starr Manufacturing Inc., a family-owned business based in Ohio that produces industrial equipment, has filed a defamation lawsuit against Columbus resident Julie Watson.

This information comes from a legal complaint acquired by PEOPLE, which was submitted to the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas on August 12.

All on Starr Manufacturing Inc. complaint

According to the complaint, Watson “falsely and maliciously made claims” that the company experienced several quality and manufacturing issues with several customers in her public review on Google.

She additionally asserted that she “could provide names and addresses of additional people who could confirm these manufacturing issues,” as stated in both the complaint and her review. The company asserted that it suffered damages and “significant reputational harm” due to the review, according to the complaint.

The plaintiff further expressed their belief that Watson will persist in posting and/or “publishing the false and malicious” claims against them unless a court intervenes.

Starr Manufacturing Inc. seeks damages

Starr Manufacturing is presently pursuing over $25,000, with the precise sum to be established during the trial, in addition to court costs and legal fees.

In a statement to People, Thomas Nader, the legal representative for Starr Manufacturing in the ongoing lawsuit, indicated that Watson has never been a customer of the firm, contending that the negative review was motivated by a "personal vendetta" involving Watson and one of the company's employees.

“This was the result of a personal relationship between the defendant and an employee of Starr Manufacturing,” Nader said. “[This lawsuit] is not about Starr Manufacturing being upset about a bad review from a customer. This is a personal vendetta.”

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