Defamation of Character in a Civil Lawsuit

[Trish820]

My question involves defamation in the state of: Maryland

My roommate was to do a job for a neighbor, received a deposit in the form of a check, but was unable to do the work. He has not returned the money, as he is waiting for the sub-contractor to return the materials and get the money back.

The neighbor has gone to the courthouse and filed a civil suit against my roommate as well as ME - they claim that I endorsed the check with my roommate. They are incredibly ignorant, and must not have paid attention the the signature on the check - it wasn't mine! They assumed that because we are roommates that I helped him cash the check.

Now my name has been drug into a civil suit, that I have absolutely NOTHING to do with. I am going to have to tell my boss that I've been summoned to court, and will have to miss a days' work because of this nonsense.

Do I have a valid suit for defamation of character?

[LawResearcherMissy]

As near as I can tell, no.

They made a mistake. You show up for court, show the signature is not yours, then you go home.