What to do about defamatory statements made against me?
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What to do about defamatory statements made against me?
I’m a fireman. A woman that I know said that I raped her when her husband found out that we had sex. They went to my chief, who told her to file charges or admit that she was lying. She did file but a week later she dropped the charges (I don’t know why). Her husband and a friend went around telling everyone that I raped his wife. My chief knows that the charges where dropped (I took him the paperwork) but I still had to leave the department. This has ruined my life. They continue to bad mouth me. Can I take out a gag order against them, and the fire dept, since I’m clear of all this? I want to clear my name. Should I speak to a personal injury attorney? In Taney County, MO.
Asked on November 27, 2010 under Personal Injury, Missouri
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You may wish to speak to a labor lawyer who handles defamation cases. She basically defamed you and you can obtain significant damages from those who say it and repeat it and bottom line is the fact she said it and they repeated it is defamation per se in most states, which means you don't even have to prove your reputation has been ruined. You need to immediately seek counsel, especially if you are part of a collective bargaining unit or union. You cannot allow a consensual encounter with an employee off time (if there is no separate violation of this) require you to leave and not her.
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