The Rundown

State Senate candidate files defamation suit against opponent

By: Susan Tebben - October 19, 2020 1:00 am

Photo by Getty Images.

A candidate for the Ohio Senate’s 18th district filed a defamation complaint against her opponent in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas.

Betsy Rader, the Democratic candidate in the race, accused challenger Jerry Cirino and the Ohio Republican Senate Campaign Committee of running attack ads on media outlets throughout the county claiming Rader defended bosses at a law firm against sexual harassment claims that occurred in the early 1990s.

Rader called the statements “untrue, materially false and defamatory, according to court documents, filed Friday. She said the case referenced in the ads had been dismissed and Rader had not worked for the company until after the sexual harassment claims occurred.

The lawsuit asks for $25,000 in compensatory damages and other court costs.

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Susan Tebben

Susan Tebben is an award-winning journalist with a decade of experience covering Ohio news, including courts and crime, Appalachian social issues, government, education, diversity and culture. She has worked for The Newark Advocate, The Glasgow (KY) Daily Times, The Athens Messenger, and WOUB Public Media. She has also had work featured on National Public Radio.