US EditionJudge tosses defamation lawsuit against Nancy Mace
U.S. District Judge Richard Mark Gergel dismissed Brian Musgrave's defamation suit, citing Rep. Nancy Mace's statements as protected congressional speech despite disputed allegations.
- U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed Wednesday against Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican.
- The lawsuit arose because Mace accused Brian Musgrave and three others of sexual misconduct during a February House floor speech.
- The Justice Department intervened, arguing Mace's statements were made while acting within her official duties, granting her constitutional immunity.
- Musgrave’s attorney Eric Bland criticized the ruling as allowing officials to make unfounded accusations with impunity, while Mace hailed the court's defense of the Constitution.
- The dismissal affirmed that individuals cannot pursue libel suits against federal officials for actions performed as part of their official duties, reflecting the limited legal options available to those alleging defamation by members of Congress.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Judge dismisses defamation lawsuit against Rep. Nancy Mace
(WSPA) - Brian Musgrave's defamation lawsuit against Representative Nancy Mace was dismissed, ruling that her remarks were made as part of her job in Congress. The lawsuit was filed shortly after Mace had given the House floor speech, naming Musgrave and others as "sexual predators" in February 2025. Mace had also used their photos on posters labeled "PREDATORS" and later repeated the claims on social media and in interviews. Mace-Defamation-Law…
Washington Examiner
DailyTruthReportJudge throws out defamation suit against Nancy Mace after House floor accusations
A federal judge Wednesday dismissed a defamation case against Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC). The case had revolved around Mace accusing a man, Brian Musgrave, of sexual abuse and voyeurism in a speech on the House floor in February. Musgrave sued Mace in March for defamation and has denied the allegations against him. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel did not address whether Mace defamed Musgrave but acknowledged that he may not be able to recover dam…
Federal judge dismisses defamation suit against Nancy Mace
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled that the speech was protected under the Constitution’s speech and debate clause and dismissed the case. He did not weigh in on whether the lawmaker's actions constituted defamation.
Judge tosses defamation lawsuit against Nancy Mace
A federal judge on Wednesday tossed a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) filed after she took to the House floor to accuse a man of being a predator. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled that federal law entitles the Justice Department to step in and largely make Mace immune from damages and proceeded to dismiss the case in its entirety. Gergel did not address whether Mace actually defamed the man, Brian Musgrave, and ackno…
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