Sexual Advances Toward Myself and Others Now I Am Accussed of Slander

**hondcivic** · 10-19-2010, 11:13 AM

My question involves defamation in the state of: VA
I received a letter from a former coworker that was fired on completely unrelated grounds. He stated that he had heard that I was spreading rumors about him at the company which is false. He also stated that he is going to sue me for slander. The background is this.

I had a conference with a union represenative about a year ago regarding this individuals advances and improper comments once I had learned from other coworkers that they had been harassed as well. I elected to not move forward by involving anyone in management because it was easier in my opinion to just let it go but I wanted someone to know about my experience with the individual in case it happened again and someone got hurt. Some how my name was mentioned being involved in these rumors which are actually true. Even though 3 other employees had expressed to others that they have had unpleasent experiences with this guy. Unfortunately for me my name was also mention as well and now I am the target after his sick advances towards me.

Does he even have grounds to sue me, I guess one can probably sue anyone but now I have to defend myself if something comes up.

??

**antrc170** · 10-19-2010, 11:21 AM

I think you're safe. For him to win a slander suit he is going to have to prove that he was negativly affected by your statements, and that they are false and you knew them to be false. It's a pretty big hill for him to climb. If you do get summoned to court I always suggest an attorney.

**LawResearcherMissy** · 10-19-2010, 01:03 PM

Anyone can sue anyone else for anything they like. But "sue" is not the same as "prevail", and it seems that no one really pays attention to how slander suits work to begin with.

Unless your former co-worker has three years and a spare $30K or so lying about, he's not even going to be able to get the suit heard. Attorneys only take slander suits (and their sister libel suits) on contingency if it's a certainty that they'll win - like Carol Burnett's famous libel suit in the 80s. THEN comes the fun of proving that the allegations were not only false, but damaging.

He's blowing smoke. Until you're served with a summons (unlikely, unless your former co-worker has money to burn), relax. The truth is an absolute defense to a charge of slander or libel.