Renaissance Faire Lord Mayor sues ex-lover for $1 million after Facebook rape- and STD-claims
Manhattan federal court filing accuses Jacqueline Insel of a social media campaign to smear Michael Weide, who performs as Lord Mayor Walter Birchum, after their five-month romance ended
A federal defamation lawsuit filed in Manhattan accuses a former Renaissance Faire performer of posting incendiary allegations online after a five month romance ended. Michael Weide, who performs as Lord Mayor Walter Birchum, says Jacqueline Insel, 24, published posts on Facebook accusing him of rape and of infecting her with a sexually transmitted disease, and he is seeking 1 million dollars in damages.
Weide's complaint, filed this week in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, alleges Insel has carried out a social media campaign to destroy his reputation, including contacting his employers to deny him work and disseminating statements about their relationship.
Insel, who lives in New Jersey and appears at Renaissance Faires as Mushroom Rosie, published statements describing the relationship and a sequence of events. The posts include a claim that she was drugged during a night with Weide, that he took her across state lines without her knowledge, sexually assaulted her, and infected her with an STD, among other accusations. Insel's messages were shared publicly on Facebook and on other platforms, according to the suit; Weide's lawyers say the allegations are false and defamatory.
Insel later wrote that Weide had destroyed her life in a single night. The posts, which the suit says amount to a sustained campaign to ruin his reputation, are part of the ongoing dispute. Insel plays Mushroom Rosie at area Renaissance Faires.
Weide's side contends that all sexual encounters with Insel were consensual and involved weed, alcohol and unspecified role playing. He asserts that he never contracted an STD and never sexually assaulted Insel, and that no rape occurred.
It was unclear whether Insel reported the alleged rape to police. Weide, who splits his time between New York and Connecticut, says he was let go by the Connecticut Renaissance Festival after Insel posted about him on social media.
A representative for the Connecticut Renaissance Festival did not respond to requests for comment, and Insel refused to discuss the lawsuit when contacted.
The Renaissance Faire community is known for its immersive historical ambiance, with performers in period costumes and fans who attend for themed entertainment. The dispute highlights how online allegations can affect individuals who participate in these niche cultural events.
