Might Be Sued for Slander - Question

[Spock2005]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

I will make this as short as possible.
Left a company 2 years ago - never signed a non-compete agreement.
1 year later - I opened up my own company selling some similar items as my last employer.
Last week someone at their company contacted me to see if I wanted to buy their items to sell - not knowing that I used to work there.
I replied to the email by telling the person why I won't buy from them and how they treat people and customers over there.
The owner emailed me back saying that they were going to sue me for slander and that I should cease and desist my slanderous actions.
I didn't reply to their email. - The owner emailed me again saying "confirm your intent to stop your actions that are damaging me"
I responded with an apology and told him that his guy contacted me. I said that I will never again mention anything about their company and any involvement I had in their company. I think what he also means is that they want me to stop selling similar items.
Q: Do I have anything to worry about?
Thanks!

 

[BelizeBreeze]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

I will make this as short as possible.
Left a company 2 years ago - never signed a non-compete agreement.
1 year later - I opened up my own company selling some similar items as my last employer.
Last week someone at their company contacted me to see if I wanted to buy their items to sell - not knowing that I used to work there.
I replied to the email by telling the person why I won't buy from them and how they treat people and customers over there.
The owner emailed me back saying that they were going to sue me for slander and that I should cease and desist my slanderous actions.
I didn't reply to their email. - The owner emailed me again saying "confirm your intent to stop your actions that are damaging me"
I responded with an apology and told him that his guy contacted me. I said that I will never again mention anything about their company and any involvement I had in their company. I think what he also means is that they want me to stop selling similar items.
Q: Do I have anything to worry about?
Thanks!

Next time keep your mouth shut.

They have nothing.

 

[saw192837]

This is pathetic.

Slander is spoken, not written, so it would be libel. Libel is an untruthful, harmful fact written as truth, and is otherwise unprivileged. What you said was an opinion, and was not published since you only wrote it to the employer not to a third party (such as a letter to the editor of a newspaper).

Even if had pulled out a full page ad in the paper denoucing your ex-employer, it still would be protected free speech since you are expressing an opinion.

Opinion: "When I worked at X Company, I saw them treat their customers badly. They are a horrible company."

Libel: "The owner of x company is an embezzler who robs his customers and takes kickbacks from the mob. He is a criminal."