Fake Racist AI Recording Sparks Defamation Lawsuit Against Ex-Pikesville High AD: Report

PIKESVILLE, MD — Former Pikesville High School Principal Eric Eiswert is suing the school system and the suspect who's accused of creating a fake racist recording that tarnished his reputation, The Baltimore Banner reported Wednesday. The Banner said the suit was filed Tuesday in the Baltimore County Circuit Court, raising counts of defamation and negligent hiring, retention and/or supervision.

The lawsuit accused ex-Pikesville High Athletic Director Dazhon Darien of fabricating an artificial intelligence recording that wrongfully portrayed Eiswert making racist and antisemitic comments, The Banner reported. The Banner said the suit alleges that Baltimore County Public Schools hired Darien, who is accused of lying on his résumé, and refused to correct the record.

"Mr. Eiswert and his family continued to endure public humiliation and violent threats," his attorneys, Brian Cathell, Matthew Thompson and Nicholas Bonadio, said in the suit, according to The Banner. "BCPS arbitrarily and, with deliberate indifference, punished Mr. Eiswert over allegations that were quickly proven false and continue to punish him to this day."

BCPS declined Patch's request for comment. Patch contacted the Maryland Public Defender's Office to request a comment from Darien's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Jasmine Hope, but the office didn't reply.

The Banner previously reported in May 2024 that it "found at least 29 false claims on four job applications using two different names" for Darien.

"He didn't get degrees he claims to hold," The Banner wrote. "He never worked for a Division I college football team. He didn't have a teaching license or meet the minimum qualifications for his job."

Darien is accused of using artificial intelligence to create the fake recording of Eiswert. Authorities said the audio file was entirely fabricated and made by a computer. Eiswert did not make those comments.

The Baltimore County Police Department said it launched its investigation on Jan. 17, 2024, and arrested Darien on April 25, 2024.

Officers think Darien made the fake recording to retaliate against Eiswert, who at the time was pursuing an investigation into the potential mishandling of school funds.

Court records show that Darien was charged with theft worth $1,500 to $25,000, disturbing school operations, retaliation against a witness, stalking and intimidating/influencing a juror. The theft charge is the only felony. The other counts are misdemeanors.

The Banner's news partner, WJZ, contacted Darien's defense attorney for a comment.

"Mr. Darien states that the information regarding alleged false statement of qualifications is inaccurate and incomplete," the lawyer told WJZ in a statement. "He will respond to the AI allegations in the appropriate forum."

Baltimore County Public Schools told The Banner it followed all hiring protocols. BCPS told both The Banner and WJZ that Darien is on administrative leave, but school officials declined to comment further to both outlets.

Related:

• Ex-Athletic Director Lied On Résumé Before AI Arrest In Baltimore County: Report
• Ex-Athletic Director Used AI To Frame Pikesville Principal: Reports