Thomasthefree
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oklahoma
My son has repeatedly posted in public forums, book reviews, e-mails and on-line newspapers a claim that I molested a grandchild. However, the accusation is untrue and my claim of innocence is supported by a detective's investigation, a district attorney's report, a polygraph with a 99.9% result, a total lack of any evidence and a complete absence of any history of such a thing. My son posted the claims on Amazon.com in a review of one of my books. He also posted the claims in a comment in The Daily Oklahoman, the state's largest newspaper. Recently, with the release of my new book, he sent a note -- e-mail -- to a number of my contacts, including my literary agent and my publisher, and again made his claim. His earlier comments in the Daily Oklahoman played a significant role in my supervisor's decision to ask me to take early retirement. I am a former chief of staff for AT&T. I am not a full-time writer, but the financial impact of losing a six-figure job has been enormous. Russell is determined now, it appears, to make it difficult to replace the income, targeting my new book with his accusations.
I have met with him before and I have asked him in person and through e-mail to stop the libelous harassment and told him if he did not, I would have to sue. I do not want to sue, as he is my son and I always have hope for reconciliation. However, he has been consistent and relentless and has given no indication he intends to stop.
Is there anything I can do short of suing for libel? I was hoping arbitration in this type of case might be possible.
My son has repeatedly posted in public forums, book reviews, e-mails and on-line newspapers a claim that I molested a grandchild. However, the accusation is untrue and my claim of innocence is supported by a detective's investigation, a district attorney's report, a polygraph with a 99.9% result, a total lack of any evidence and a complete absence of any history of such a thing. My son posted the claims on Amazon.com in a review of one of my books. He also posted the claims in a comment in The Daily Oklahoman, the state's largest newspaper. Recently, with the release of my new book, he sent a note -- e-mail -- to a number of my contacts, including my literary agent and my publisher, and again made his claim. His earlier comments in the Daily Oklahoman played a significant role in my supervisor's decision to ask me to take early retirement. I am a former chief of staff for AT&T. I am not a full-time writer, but the financial impact of losing a six-figure job has been enormous. Russell is determined now, it appears, to make it difficult to replace the income, targeting my new book with his accusations.
I have met with him before and I have asked him in person and through e-mail to stop the libelous harassment and told him if he did not, I would have to sue. I do not want to sue, as he is my son and I always have hope for reconciliation. However, he has been consistent and relentless and has given no indication he intends to stop.
Is there anything I can do short of suing for libel? I was hoping arbitration in this type of case might be possible.