I have a criminal case pending against my business partner for sexual assault. He had me illegally removed from our business and put a friend of his in to take my place. We treated substance abuse clients. The state closed the place we had and I was employed by a facility that was essentially taking the place of the one that closed. I don't own any part of the new clinic. I have been able to treat most of my clients that were at the previous clinic. They have been telling me that the woman who was put in my place at the other business told them things like I was fired for doing a lot of illegal things, I didn't pay any bills for the clinic and they can't account for where the money went, that I stole a lot of money and my partner had to fire me. She even went so far as to show a client a list of dates and amounts of money that I supposedly stole. I never stole from my own company.
This has caused a disruption in trust issues with my clients and has caused my new employer to have doubts about me. Can I file slander charges against this person? If I can, how do I go about it? How can I protect myself and the clients in this matter?
Thanks for any help.

