WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Watertown City Council Member Sarah Compo Pierce and Mayor Jeff Smith have been issued a cease and desist order from developer P.J. Simao.
The letter claims both city leaders “falsely, maliciously and publicly accused” Simao of bribery. It refers to the offer by Simao to pay back city taxes if Compo Pierce and Smith revealed the people behind a certain anonymous Facebook page.
The attorney’s letter puts both Compo Pierce and Smith on notice to cease and desist.
“It is well settled that a false claim of criminal misconduct is per say libelous. You both stand personally responsible for the well documented, malicious and defamatory statements that you widely disseminated,” Simao’s lawyer wrote.
The letter was forwarded to City Attorney Kristen Smith, who responded to the lawyer with a letter of her own.
She wrote, “As you are likely aware, as elected officials of the City of Watertown, they are represented by the City Attorney. In the future, please direct any correspondence for the Mayor and Councilperson to me directly.”
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