How to Stop an Ex-employer from Spreading Lies

[sickandtired12]

I had been working at a local salon for about 6 months when the owner confessed that he was in love with me. I was in a serious relationship (soon to be engaged) and was not interested in my employer. I told him this and asked him to keep things professional. The next day he started making my life miserable. He constantly yelled at me and talked to the other employees about me behind my back. I quickly got tired of this and quit. He has now gone so far as to tell my former clients and the other employees that I was fired (which is not true, I quit) because I was selling cocaine at the salon. He even has a notice posted on all the computers at the salon - it says that criminal charges have been filed against me and that the police should be called if I show up at the salon. It also says that I'm mentally unstable, on drugs, and am dangerous because I carry a gun. None of this is true. I've never used drugs, am not crazy, and I don't even own a gun!! My former employer has told these lies to bank executives, police officers, local politicians....and anyone else who will listen to him.

I am now uncomfortable when I go to bars and restaurants because people are always talking about me or making rude comments to me. A girl in a nightclub bathroom asked me if she could buy some cocaine from me two weeks ago!

Several of the salon employees have offered to help me in any way they can. They asked if they could write statements about the owner's misconduct. Also, some of my former clients have offered to write statements or testify in court. What should I do?

[aaron]

Consult a lawyer about a possible defamation lawsuit.