Legal Question in Employment Law in Washington

Long story short, a friend of mine was let go from his job as a route assistant. He would collect money from dartboards, juke boxes & counter top games. After he was let go, he took a set of duplicate keys that he had & went to numerous locations & stole money from the equipment. Three times he was caught on video tape. His previous employer said they were going to file charges but at this time nothing has happened & its been a couple months. My question is, the company has made up their own wanted posters, showing his picture along with his name & what he did & they have posted them in several different locations. Is this legal? Wouldn't it be considered defamation of character? we are just trying to find out if he can have them taken down because alot of people in these locations know who he is.


Asked on 5/27/12, 9:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Baner Baner & Baner

Defamation? Is the following statement Defamation: Lee Harvey Oswald killed Kennedy. There might be some debate among crazies about the truthfulness of the statement, but it is published everywhere.

Defamation requires a false statement of material fact communicated to a third party that causes damage to the reputation. Sounds like your "friend" should be charged.

The real issue as I see it is to what extent are the "Wanted" posters mischaracterizing him? If it is claiming a $10k reward for the capture of a rapist then they are clearly in the wrong. If it is supposed to be an artistic way of portraying a local crook then they are probably fine. Many stores hang pictures of people that use rubber checks - or at least that used to be a common practice.

Practically, he needs to repay the debts and request that the posters be taken down or seek some way of amends to get the relief sought. There might be a good legal remedy but I can't think of one utilizing defamation.

Good luck

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Answered on 5/28/12, 9:49 am


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