MEDIA – A former Yeadon Borough councilwoman has sued the Borough’s current leadership, alleging that the defendants repeatedly defamed her in both public and private settings, causing harm to her reputation and standing in the community.
Sharon Council-Harris filed suit in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on March 27 versus Yeadon Borough, Mayor Rohan K. Hepkins, Yeadon Borough Council President LaToya Monroe, Yeadon Borough Councilwoman Liana Roadcloud and Yeadon Borough Councilwoman Nicole Beaty. All parties are of Yeadon.
“Throughout the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, defendants Monroe, Roadcloud and Beaty made various defamatory statements regarding plaintiff, in both public and non-public forums. During the aforementioned years, defendants Monroe, Roadcloud and/or Beaty: a) Posted on individual accounts on social media that plaintiff was corrupt, incompetent and unethical; b) Posted on individual accounts on social media that plaintiff was engaged in an extramarital affair with various individuals; c) Posted on individual accounts on social media that plaintiff made decisions in her official capacity based on personal relationships, rather than on the merits. The aforementioned statements were not made on a public forum, but were rather published to the community, and solely for the purpose of defaming and embarrassing plaintiff,” the suit says.
“The actions of defendants Monroe, Roadcloud and Beaty were at various points confirmed and ratified by defendant Hepkins. Defendant Yeadon Borough is liable for the actions of the above-named defendants on the basis of respondeat superior. The aforementioned statements are not subject to immunity.”
The suit adds the defendants caused “emotional distress” to the plaintiff.
“The actions of defendants Monroe, Roadcloud and Beaty were without factual basis and were defamatory in nature. Plaintiff was defamed as a direct and proximate result of these actions. Defendants’ actions as outlined and described above directly, proximately and factually caused plaintiff great emotional distress. Defendants were, or should have been, aware that said actions would cause plaintiff great emotional distress,” the suit says.
For counts of defamation and negligent infliction of emotional distress, the plaintiff is seeking, jointly and severally, compensatory damages, interest, attorney’s fees and any other relief this Court deems just.
The plaintiff is represented by Michael J. Needleman of Reger Rizzo & Darnall, in Philadelphia.
The defendants are represented by David J. MacMain and Brian M. Marchese of MacMain Leinhauser, in West Chester.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case CV-2024-002920
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com