Is This Slander?

[kreetz]

What is the name of your state? Washington

What is the name of your state? WA

Some one in my church has accused me of creating a profile on another website, using their name and the name of the church. The profile is for a program called First Place (a meeting for people who are overweight). From what I've heard, the false profile contained an old phone number of the leader of the group, and the statement "If you're fat, come on by."

First of all, I did not create any profile. I am being accused, because I now a lot about computers. I am a PC technician, and only know how to fix computers. This person contacted my pastor, who spoke to me about it in his office. The church has a website and an email address, which I manage, and because of the accusation, the pastor has asked me to reset the password of the email account, so that he can enter his own password.

The pastor knows that I no longer check the church's email (I was responsible for it before he came), but because of the accusation, I feel that people no longer trust me with anything computer related.

This person has no proof that I did it, only the suspicion because of my computer background. Do I have a case for to file suit for slander? Please understand that I’m not suing for the money, but to educate people that it’s wrong to accuse others, when you have no proof. I think that a majority of the people in my church are now wondering if I did it. I will now always have this cloud of suspicion over my head, especially if it has to do with computers.

Thank you,

Kevin

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

What is the name of your state? Washington

What is the name of your state? WA

Some one in my church has accused me of creating a profile on another website, using their name and the name of the church. The profile is for a program called First Place (a meeting for people who are overweight). From what I've heard, the false profile contained an old phone number of the leader of the group, and the statement "If you're fat, come on by."

First of all, I did not create any profile. I am being accused, because I now a lot about computers. I am a PC technician, and only know how to fix computers. This person contacted my pastor, who spoke to me about it in his office. The church has a website and an email address, which I manage, and because of the accusation, the pastor has asked me to reset the password of the email account, so that he can enter his own password.

The pastor knows that I no longer check the church's email (I was responsible for it before he came), but because of the accusation, I feel that people no longer trust me with anything computer related.

This person has no proof that I did it, only the suspicion because of my computer background. Do I have a case for to file suit for slander? Please understand that I’m not suing for the money, but to educate people that it’s wrong to accuse others, when you have no proof. I think that a majority of the people in my church are now wondering if I did it. I will now always have this cloud of suspicion over my head, especially if it has to do with computers.

Thank you,

Kevin

My response:

Sounds to me like you have a "slander per se" cause of action. Just remember, the plaintiff in such a case often-times turns into a "defendant" themselves when trying to defend their name.

So, think wisely if you decide to bring a lawsuit. You may want to rent an old movie called "A Case of Libel" starring Ed Asner to find out what I'm talking about.

IAAL