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ARTICLE ID 195547

$________ – Defamation – Negligent infliction of emotional distress – Female police officer alleged that defendants made defamatory statements that plaintiff had engaged in criminal activity.

U.S. District Court, Massachusetts

In this defamation matter, the plaintiff police officer alleged that the defendant police union and other individuals defamed her by causing an article to be published in the newspaper, stating that the plaintiff had engaged in criminal activity. The plaintiff alleged that the statements caused her to suffer emotional distress. The defendants denied the allegations, and maintained that any statements made about the plaintiff were true.

The female plaintiff was employed as a sergeant in the defendant’s police force. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants caused statements to be published in the newspaper, which were untrue. The statements said that the plaintiff had been engaged in criminal activity when she was employed by the police department and was a member of the union. The plaintiff brought suit against the defendants, alleging that they defamed her and caused her to suffer emotional distress.

The defendants denied the allegations and maintained that the statements that were made and published in the newspaper were true. As such, there could be no defamation. The defendants also claimed that the statements were privileged because they were necessary for a legitimate business purpose.

The matter proceeded to a federal jury trial.At the conclusion of the trial, the jury deliberated and found in favor of the plaintiff. The jury determined that the union was liable, however, the individual defendants were not liable. The jury awarded the plaintiff the sum of $________ in damages.

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