South Carolina teacher sues state lawmaker and four others for defamation after being labeled as a 'groomer'

From my state of South Carolina comes possibly more payback for those who like to brand folks as "groomers.

From The Island Packet:

Mardy Burleson, a multimedia design and engineering teacher, accused several parents and community members of labeling her as a “groomer” — defined as a predator who builds a relationship with a child to abuse them — on social media and podcasts last year, according to court filings. This followed her distribution of a student survey in her class that included a question about preferred pronouns. Burleson claims the defamation has damaged her reputation and put her safety in jeopardy. 

 The harassment occurred after the movement to ban books in Beaufort County schools, which garnered national media attention including from CBS News’ 60 Minutes. Many of the defendants supported the ban, claiming the 97 books pulled from school libraries were inappropriate and pornographic. Ultimately, only five books were banned. 

 Attorney Meg Phelan of the Equality Legal Action Fund, a group consisting of volunteer attorneys and advocates who represents educators, public officials, elected officials and members of the LGBTQ+ community against defamation, took on the case pro-bono.

 According to The Island Packet, five people were named in the lawsuit including a state lawmaker, SC Representative for District 10 Thomas Beach. It also said that the lawsuit charges that these individuals of using social media to claim that Burleson sexually grooming kids:

 In addition to defamation, Burleson argues that the defendants’ accusations of grooming were particularly damaging because they falsely implied criminal conduct involving sexual abuse of minors. The defendants portrayed Burleson as someone unfit to be around children, which could lead to serious consequences, including the loss of her teaching position, damage to her professional standing and even legal ramifications. 

The court filings details how the defendants continued their public campaign against Burleson across social media platforms, podcasts and even school board meetings, calling for her removal as a teacher. Burleson claims that these actions have not only harmed her professional reputation but also caused her personal anguish, fearing for her safety and that of her family, especially after her child was mentioned in these defamatory attacks.

 

 One person named in the lawsuit, David Cook, was banned from Beaufort County school properties last year after he not only harassed teachers but threw chicken feed at board members. According to an August 2, 2023 edition of The Island Packet, Cook had already made a name for himself by stalking and threatening teachers including one in particular, Kathleen Harper: 

 During the week of May 29, he hand-delivered a “thank you” note to the school accusing Harper of indoctrinating students. It was the last week of school and Cook also posted on Facebook “If you’re in support of giving sexually explicit material to children, it’s important to remember......Dead Pedophiles Don’t Re-Offend.” “I was scared,” Harper said. “I was frightened.” 

The Island Packet said Burleson is suing for libel and slander and actual, special, and punitive damages. If Burleson succeeds in her lawsuit, she will be the third person this year who successfully struck back after falsely being accused of sexually grooming children.

In August, a New Hampshire legislator, David Love, paid $200,000 to settle with two drag queens after he falsely labeled one as a sex offender and accused the other of dancing with kids in a sexual manner.

In May, drag performer Eric Posey was awarded a $1.1 million judgement against a far-right blogger who falsely accused him of exposing himself to children during a performance.