Bess, an accountant, distributes a handbill to her business clients and potential customers accusing her competitor Ciera of being a convicted thief. The statement is defamatory if

Question

Bess, an accountant, distributes a handbill to her business clients and potential customers accusing her competitor Ciera of being a convicted thief. The statement is defamatory if​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement is defamatory if it is false. Accusing someone of being a convicted thief is a serious allegation and can harm their reputation, so it must be true to avoid being defamatory. It doesn't matter if a recipient repeats it or if Ciera suffers emotional distress if the statement is true.

Bess, an Accountant, Distributes a Handbill to Her Business Clients