Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Illinois

Libel

My previous employer has been appealing an unemployment issue with me. As a claimant, I recently won the last appeal. I would like to inform the board members of my previous employment that I feel that my previous employer comitted perjury under oath when testifying at the unemployment hearing. Legally, can I be accused of libel if I tell people that I felt as though my previous employer commited perjury in order to win the case? Please advise, thanks a million!


Asked on 11/02/02, 3:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC

Re: Libel

Accusing another of lying is slander if spoken and libel if written, only if untrue. Truth is a complete defense to a libel/slander action.

If you can prove perjury [lying under oath] then you are free to report that fact to whomever you wish. If you just 'feel' or 'think' it, you better not. If sued, you will have to prove the truth of your statements and feelings and thinking are not proof. You must have courtroom-quality proof in the form of admissible evidence that a lie was told and, if you don't, better not say so.

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Answered on 11/02/02, 4:21 pm


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