U.S. Rep. Mace files defamation suit against man she labeled a predator
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has filed a lawsuit alleging defamation against one of the four men she publicly called a predator during a speech on the House floor earlier this year.
The lawsuit names Eric Bowman, one of the four men Mace accused during a speech on Feb. 10. The suit states Mace is asking a court for damages above $7,500.
The Republican congresswoman alleges that Bowman “launched a campaign of malicious and objectively false attacks on her fitness to hold public office, falsely claiming she engaged in illegal activity while serving in the House of Representatives,” a release from Mace’s office states.
Bowman “intentionally and repeatedly” falsely accused Mace of “illegally influencing the award of Department of Veterans Affairs contracts to friends and political allies,” the release states. The lawsuit also alleges that Bowman accused Mace of conspiring with his ex-wife and influencing VA contracts to his ex-wife’s company.
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“These falsehoods were set against a wide range of repugnant character attacks so pronounced that at least one media publication likened Bowman’s X feed to holy warfare against Rep. Mace,” the release states. “Bowman’s demonstrably false accusations were disseminated to thousands of people online, were known to be false when made, and were designed to erode public confidence in Rep. Mace’s fitness for office.”
“These claims are not only completely false but were made with malicious intent to damage my character and undermine the trust placed in me by the people of South Carolina,” Mace said in a statement.
Mace first mentioned Bowman publicly during that February House speech in which she identified herself as a victim of sexual violence and assault. Bowman, she claimed, was one of four men she says have taken part in or were aware of wrongdoing.
During that speech, she stood next to an easel with posters showing the four men’s names and photos and the word “PREDATORS” in large type across the top of the poster.
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Mace’s new lawsuit comes just over a month after Bowman was arrested and charged with harassment and stalking.
Mace also named her ex-fiancé, Patrick Bryant, whom the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed was under investigation. SLED has not released any details on the nature of the investigation or where that process stands.
She also named Brian Musgrave, who filed a lawsuit against Mace that alleges defamation and multiple instances of libel.
Bryant, Bowman and Musgrave have denied Mace’s claims. There has been no indication that the fourth man Mace named during her speech is involved in any criminal investigation or has been named in a lawsuit.
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