Slander/Libel/Defamation?

[chattemeow]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MD

My husband's family has been harassing my husband and I with patently false accusations against me. My husband's mother made some wild accusations nearly 2 years ago that I called the police to her home and reported her (and her husband's) drug use.

Not only did I not do this, I went to both the city and county police and requested any and all records of calls to their address, hoping to find a record of who actually DID make the call.

Much to our surprise, there were no records in either jurisdiction, of any calls involving their address, nor any records of any cruiser being dispatched to the house.

Yet my husband's family spread around a story that a police officer showed up at their door because someone had called them. They have made sure that everyone in the family "knows" that it was me who called the cops, and we have been blackballed from all family events.

We repeatedly offered them the results from having gone to the police departments. I offered them my phone records. They refused to entertain either. As one cannot lead a horse to water, I washed my hands of it, and haven't personally spoken to them since.

They are still harassing my husband with letters (the most recent of which, a letter from my husband's brother, was today, so no impending time limit on statute of limitations) asking him why he has not held me accountable for my alleged actions, and blaming my alleged actions for every rift in the family. My husband was with me and helped me do the research, so he knows there is irrefutable proof that I did no such thing.

I've had enough of hearing about this from extended family and family friends. I know I am not the one talking about it, and these rumors of my husband's family being involved with drug use are not desirable given shared custody of my daughter with my ex husband. They could truly be disastrous should my ex catch wind of this, even though it's totally fabricated.

What exactly will I need to prove in order to bring a suit and win an injunction? I am not interested in monetary compensation, just a court order preventing any further propagation of this on their parts.

My husband and I live in MD, his parents in VA, and his brother in PA. All communication has been done electronically on their part, so unless I'm wrong, I can just file suit here in MD, correct?

[sandyclaus]

What kind of damages would you be looking for here? Unless the accusations and rumors spread have hurt you financially or affected your ability to get a job, alienated your direct family relationships (i.e. your husband/children), I don't see any damages here.

Who cares of your husband's extended family believes that you allegedly called police to report illegal drug activity? YOU know it's not true, and you have proven it to be a false rumor. And is it really such a bad thing to be known as someone who might report even a family member for committing a criminal act?

Sounds like hubby's family is just going to think what they want. Just because they want to think the worst about you, does that really matter in the long run? There are always some family dynamics where the new spouse just can't win, and it sounds like your husband's family is one of them. Don't sweat it.