Village Of Valleyview

COUNCIL MEMBER GRAVES FOUND GUILTY OF SLANDER

Jan 05, 2003

During the election year 2001 several candidates were running for four open Council seats for the Village of Valleyview, among the candidates were Craig Smith and Robert Graves?’ wife Raylene Graves (now mayor). Robert Graves decided to slant the election by spreading a rumor about candidate Craig Smith that he was a pedophile. Before the election Robert Graves told this rumor to Chief Consolo stating to Consolo ?“ we don?’t need people like that in office?”. Chief Consolo investigated this rumor and found that the rumor was unfounded. Chief Consolo mentioned this rumor to Craig Smith with concern for Craig Smith?’s reputation and safety. Craig Smith sued Robert Graves for slander.

Later mayor Graves attempted to have Chief Consolo fired for repeating the rumor to Craig Smith. After mayor Graves spent thousands of dollars of taxpayer?’s money with Chief Consolo?’s hearing, Chief Consolo kept his job and mayor Graves helped to deplete the Village general fund.

On December 3, 2002 Council member Graves was found guilty in a court of law of committing slander per se and that the defendant [Robert Graves] acted maliciously, that he acted with reckless disregard for the truth and that his conduct characterized by, ill will and spirit of revenge. Defendant damaged plaintiff?’s reputation and standing in the community and caused personal humiliation and mental anguish. Plaintiff proved the right to recover damages in the amount of $ 15,000