Patrick Henry Spat Gets Personal
The former treasurer for the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts is suing former board member Reggie Malone for defamation over comments he made about bookkeeping, and she’s seeking $850,000 in damages.
The lawsuit filed by Mary Susan Martin, who was a member of the public charter school’s board of directors until August, cites public comments Malone made about the school’s finances.
It got personal as soon as Mr. Malone decided to badmouth someone’s professional accountability. This isn’t a sandbox, and I hope she wins.
She should sue. Libel and slander are actionable.
But what are her actual damages? 850k seems awful steep for this. Also, it seems there would be an argument that a school treasurer/board member position makes it a public position and sets a different standard. She’d have to provide Malone wasn’t merely wrong but was intentionally lying.
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I would bet several Legends that being a volunteer board member of a charter school board is not a “public figure” or public official. Good luck to Ms. Martin. Bad acts ought to have consequences.
I will decline to take Sundagger’s bet and state further that the defamation definition explicitly covers libel, which would seem to be Mr. Malone’s statements as quoted. So it would seem that the case hinges on:
1.) Validation that Mr. Malone actually stated, or otherwise published (as via email) the statements in question, and;
2.) Reasonable proof that Ms Martin acted competently according to accepted professional standards in performance of her duties, and;
3.) Establishment of the damage to Ms Martin (including pain and suffering) due to the statements of Mr. Malone.
I would be willing to stipulate that #1 can be proven via articles in the daily newspaper.
She is a CPA in good standing with the State Board of Accountancy; she is employed by the Federal Reserve. Want to bet she is not only competent, but highly competent, and highly ethical? FSB does not screw around.
It was even suggested to Mr. Malone that if he just apologize, publicly. Apparently he chose not to do that. What is not being discussed are some of his other actions, equally reprehensible.
Greg, I think her”actual damages” may be difficult to calculate. Reggie Malone chose to spread a vicious lie via a public well-read newspaper that could have lasting effects on her reputation as a competent accountant; regardless of its falsehoods. Even after he is proven wrong in court, his reckless and unfounded statements may cost her many opportunities in the future.
Go get him, Ms. Martin! Mr. Malone will have to learn the hard way on this one!
I think it’s also harder now with everything living on forever on the internet. It wasn’t a single article in a print edition. If anyone ever googles her name, the two articles from Richmond Magazine and RTD will show up. And it was clear that Mr. Malone rushed to call the reporters at both papers to get these opinions out to the public.
Suit crazy world.
Jacob – suit crazy world indeed. Let’s see you stick your neck out, have some bully tell lies about you to the press, and see if you don’t want justice.
I just don’t think she’ll ever see any $. Pain/suffering aren’t applicable. It didn’t effect her business and because she works for the govt., had no effect on her clientele. Additionally, volunteer or not, PH is an issue that the public follows pretty closely in the news and I’d think accepting a position on the board makes you a public figure. I’m not arguing that Mr. Malone wasn’t morally wrong but I just don’t see 850k or even 85k out of this. Waist of the court’s time.
I hope she wins big. It would be especially great karma if she were to donate part of the award to PHSS.
[...] at the Patrick Henry School after they opened in August, but the drama was in full effect after its former treasurer decided to sue board member Reggie Malone for defamation of character after comments he made about her bookkeeping [...]