Nancy Mace speaks during a House floor session; the Congresswoman is now facing a defamation lawsuit over sexual misconduct allegations.
Photo credit: X : Nancy Mace
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is being sued for defamation and libel by a man named Brian Musgrave from Fort Mill. Musgrave says Mace falsely accused him and 3 others of rape, sex trafficking, and secretly filming women.
These accusations were made in a 53-minute speech in the U.S. House floor, in social media posts, and on a poster outside her office in D.C. The poster had photos and names of the 4 men with the word "Predators" written below, according to the report by Post and Courier.
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But now, the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, Bryan Stirling, filed a new motion on July 11 saying Mace should be legally protected from this lawsuit. Stirling argues Mace was just doing her job as a Congresswoman and that her actions fall under her official duties, as per the report by Post and Courier.
He wants the federal government to replace Mace as the defendant — and then ask the judge to dismiss the case completely. This would mean Congressional immunity might protect her from being sued for these statements, as per the reports.
The judge in charge of the case is U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, and he will decide whether the government can take over the case. Mace’s office did not comment, but pointed reporters to Matthew Berry, the general counsel for the House, according to the report Post and Courier.
He also questioned whether this was really about legislation, or just Mace trying to get revenge on her ex-fiancé and boost her image for a possible run for governor. Bland said Mace targeted Musgrave because he’s best friends with her ex, as mentioned in the report by Post and Courier.
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The government admits that Mace and her team may have had other motives, but still say it counts as official work. In court filings, they say even if she shared the speech with media or tweeted about it later, it still counts as within her job, as per the reports.
Bland strongly disagrees, saying calling her a government employee doesn’t make her actions legal. He added, “Show us the receipts, Nancy. We're waiting,” challenging Mace to prove her claims. The court will hold a hearing in the future to decide what happens next, according to the report by the Post and Courier.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is being sued by Brian Musgrave for publicly accusing him and others of sexual crimes, which he says are false and damaging.
Q2. What is Nancy Mace’s defense in the defamation case?
The U.S. government says Mace was doing her official job as a Congresswoman, so she should be protected from the lawsuit under congressional immunity.
These accusations were made in a 53-minute speech in the U.S. House floor, in social media posts, and on a poster outside her office in D.C. The poster had photos and names of the 4 men with the word "Predators" written below, according to the report by Post and Courier.
Government says she was just doing her job
Mace claims she is both a victim and witness of the men’s actions. All 4 men have denied the accusations. The lawsuit was filed in March — about a month after the speech. Musgrave’s lawyers say Mace ruined his life and his family's through her public statements, as mentioned by the reports.ALSO READ: 7-Eleven is giving away free slurpees — Here's everything you need to know
But now, the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, Bryan Stirling, filed a new motion on July 11 saying Mace should be legally protected from this lawsuit. Stirling argues Mace was just doing her job as a Congresswoman and that her actions fall under her official duties, as per the report by Post and Courier.
He wants the federal government to replace Mace as the defendant — and then ask the judge to dismiss the case completely. This would mean Congressional immunity might protect her from being sued for these statements, as per the reports.
The judge in charge of the case is U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, and he will decide whether the government can take over the case. Mace’s office did not comment, but pointed reporters to Matthew Berry, the general counsel for the House, according to the report Post and Courier.
Lawyers say she went too far
Musgrave is represented by lawyers Eric Bland, Ronnie Richter, and Scott Mongillo. Bland says Mace went beyond her rights by attacking Musgrave before and after her official speech, especially through social media and posters, as stated by reports.He also questioned whether this was really about legislation, or just Mace trying to get revenge on her ex-fiancé and boost her image for a possible run for governor. Bland said Mace targeted Musgrave because he’s best friends with her ex, as mentioned in the report by Post and Courier.
ALSO READ: FBI Deputy Dan Bongino walks out after Epstein file clash; Trump, DOJ deny client list, missing jail video fuels conspiracies
The government admits that Mace and her team may have had other motives, but still say it counts as official work. In court filings, they say even if she shared the speech with media or tweeted about it later, it still counts as within her job, as per the reports.
Bland strongly disagrees, saying calling her a government employee doesn’t make her actions legal. He added, “Show us the receipts, Nancy. We're waiting,” challenging Mace to prove her claims. The court will hold a hearing in the future to decide what happens next, according to the report by the Post and Courier.
FAQs
Q1. Why is Nancy Mace being sued for defamation?U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is being sued by Brian Musgrave for publicly accusing him and others of sexual crimes, which he says are false and damaging.
Q2. What is Nancy Mace’s defense in the defamation case?
The U.S. government says Mace was doing her official job as a Congresswoman, so she should be protected from the lawsuit under congressional immunity.
