A former Playboy Playmate, the Deal or Do Deal suitcase girl and two models are suing a Maryland swingers club for using their photos without permission in promotions.
The women filed the lawsuit, seen by the baltimore flag, on March 19 in the U.S. District Court of Maryland against the Tabu Social Club in Catonsville.
They claim the club, “where adults can ‘swap’ partners for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity,” has used their photos in social media posts without their permission to “mislead potential customers.”
The women are Playboy’s January 2010 Playmate of the Month Jaime Edmondson Longoria, Deal or No Deal suitcase model Ursula Mayes, glamor model Ina Schnitzer and model and designer Lina Posada.
The Catonsville, Maryland, club (pictured) is a place where “adults can ‘swap’ partners.”
One of the women suing the club is Ursula Mayes, a former suitcase model on Deal or No Deal.
Another is former Playboy Playmate of the Month, Jaime Longoria.
The club allegedly shared altered photos of the models, implying that they worked there; one such YouTube post appeared to use a photo of Longoria with the caption “come see the summer boys with us.”
They say that they did not ask their permission and that the club had never contacted them.
Another screenshot in the lawsuit allegedly shows an altered image of Longoria wearing a short Ravens jersey, advertising a “team spirit” night at the club.
Longoria used to be an NFL cheerleader and worked for the Miami Dolphins.
The model and mother of three was also Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for January 2010.
She is now married to MLB player Evan Longoria, who is currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The chief operating officer of the nonprofit that runs the club, Vicki Gonzalez, told the Banner: “I have no idea what you’re talking about, every image we have is purchased and licensed through Adobe Stock.”
He said he believes there is a “confusion” since the attorney representing the women is based in New York.
He also said the company named in the lawsuit as the club’s owner, VNR Enterprises LLC, no longer exists.
Jaime Longoria (left) was also Playboy’s Playmate of the Month for January 2010. She is now married to MLB player Evan Longoria, who is currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ina Schnitzer, better known as Jordan Carver, is a glamor model who is also suing the club
The fourth woman in the suit is Lina Posada, a Colombian model and designer.
The lawsuit contains a screenshot of this promotional video, which appears to show Longoria, altered to wear an Orioles jersey.
The club now operates under the name GS Events Inc., which is supposedly incorporated in Maryland under a nonprofit tax code, but does not appear in Maryland nonprofit databases.
The women are seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial, after claiming in the lawsuit that use of the models’ images constitutes false advertising and defamation.
The club claims to be a place where “sexy adults meet and play.”
Only women or couples can become members and single men must have a sponsor to attend.
Membership costs $80 a year for single women and couples or $30 a month.
The website says: ‘Tabu is an exclusive dance club with an elevated dance floor and two dance poles for our female members to enjoy.
‘An elevated dance cage, a UNIQUE ladies’ dance stage and a quiet lounge area with comfortable seating. BYOB full service bar and 5 refrigerators to keep your drinks ice cold.
‘Private VIP suites, showers and towels; Lockers are available to store your items (you can bring a lock).’