State lawmaker accused of defamation, slander
A former candidate for Marion County Sheriff is accusing a state lawmaker of defamation and slander for comments the legislator made in a committee hearing earlier this year.
Defamation
Articles
COA reinstates car seller’s defamation, breach suit
An auto financing company took a hit after the Indiana Court of Appeals reinstated a car dealer’s breach of contract and defamation complaints in a dispute over vehicles purchased at auction.
Inspector general fights AG Hill’s subpoena in discipline case
As the disciplinary action against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill proceeds, a key player in the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Hill is claiming her records from the investigation are privileged.
Newtown parents win defamation suit in growing fight against hoaxers
The father of a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newton, Connecticut has won a defamation lawsuit against the authors of a book that claimed the shooting never happened — the latest victory for victims’ relatives who have been taking a more aggressive stance against conspiracy theorists.
Judge orders insurance CEO to attend settlement conference
Despite repeated objections, an insurance company’s CEO has been ordered to personally attend an upcoming settlement conference in a contractor’s defamation suit against the insurer. Nationwide Insurance CEO Stephen R. Rasmussen failed to persuade either a magistrate judge or the presiding judge that his presence was unnecessary at a settlement conference in a lawsuit brought by ARAC Roof it Forward.
Judge denies police defamation claims in Indiana wiretapping
A northern Indiana judge has ruled that a former South Bend councilman did not defame four police officers targeted in a long-running wiretapping case when he sought a federal probe of potential racial bias in the police department.
Dismissal of lawyer’s defamation suit against magistrate affirmed
A Lafayette attorney alleging a Tippecanoe County magistrate defamed him by reporting he was carrying a firearm in court in violation of state law lost his appeal of the dismissal of his defamation case when the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded the magistrate was acting within her judicial capacity.
COA rejects ex-teacher’s defamation claims against Elkhart Truth
A former Elkhart teacher who alleged a newspaper defamed him by writing an article about his federal lawsuit against the school that fired him failed to convince an appellate panel that the issue was not of public interest, or that the article was not written in good faith.
Web Exclusive: Chances of changing libel laws unlikely
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas stood alone recently when he suggested reconsidering five decades worth of libel law standards. But Indiana media lawyers say chances of changing longstanding First Amendment protections appear slim.
COA hears arguments in teacher defamation suit against Elkhart newspaper
An Indiana Court of Appeals panel was asked to consider whether a reporter’s use of the word “incompetent” to describe a former Elkhart teacher’s termination was defamatory language – and ultimately whether a newspaper had the right to publish a story using the contested word.
Reversal: Former St. Mary’s employee loses claims against her termination
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the denial of a hospital’s motion for judgment against a former employee terminated for unethical behavior when it found the hospital was entitled to judgement due to the lack of genuine issues of material fact.
Retired driver Derek Daly seeks at least $25M from WISH-TV in defamation suit
Retired race car driver and former motorsports broadcaster Derek Daly on Thursday filed a defamation lawsuit in Hamilton County seeking at least $25 million from his former employer, WISH-TV Channel 8, and its parent company, Irving, Texas-based Nexstar Media Group Inc.
Ex-Lawrenceburg policeman loses 7th Circuit appeal over firing
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a federal court ruling for the city of Lawrenceburg in its firing of a criminally charged police officer, who claimed his termination implicated his First Amendment rights because it came after he complained about the mayor and purported wrongdoing by city officials.
Tort claim notice, IG report create more legal obstacles for Hill
Though Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill won’t face criminal charges stemming from allegations that he groped at least four women at a party in March, he may not legally be out of the woods. A tort claim notice filed with Hill’s office last week announced the women’s plans to seek civil redress against the Attorney General, an action that could have a direct impact on taxpayers’ wallets.
Suit against Hill could cost taxpayers; accusers to name state
The Indiana Attorney General’s Office is now in the process of investigating a complaint filed against it, the state and Attorney General Curtis Hill after four women who publicly accused Hill of groping them at a party filed official notice of a civil lawsuit. If the women succeed on their claims against state defendants, taxpayers could be on the hook to pay any judgments.
No criminal charges, but AG Hill faces suits from accusers
After the special prosecutor announced his decision Tuesday not to bring charges against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, the four women who have accused the state’s top lawyer of sexual misconduct stepped into the public spotlight together and said they are not done fighting.
Judge rules for Butler in suit by ex-student accused of sex assault
A civil lawsuit against Butler University brought by a student who claims he was wrongly expelled after being falsely accused of sexual assault has ended with a judgment in favor of the university and other school personnel involved in the investigation.
Lawyers attack memo, say Hill considering defamation lawsuit
Repeatedly claiming “false and malicious” statements were included in a confidential memo containing allegations of sexual misconduct by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, Indianapolis attorney Kevin Betz announced he is preparing a defamation lawsuit on the AG’s behalf. Betz and his law partner Sandra Blevins held a press conference Wednesday in the lobby of their Indianapolis law firm, Betz & Blevins, to announce the possible suit.
Justices let ruling stand that reserves right to request misdemeanor juries to defendants
An Indiana Court of Appeals ruling that reserved the right to demand a jury trial in misdemeanor cases to defendants has been upheld after the Indiana Supreme Court declined to hear the state’s challenge to that ruling.
Ex-Notre Dame coach Holtz settles Daily Beast defamation suit
Attorneys for Lou Holtz say the former Notre Dame football coach and the news website The Daily Beast have settled a defamation lawsuit filed by the ex-ESPN analyst and college football Hall of Famer.