DEFAMATION SUIT TARGETS LOCAL LAWYER.Byline: KAREN MAESHIRO Staff Writer LANCASTER -- The verbal sparring between a Lancaster prosecutor and a Valencia defense attorney is moving from the criminal court to a civil one. Deputy District Attorney Maureen Green is suing Larry Baker Larry Baker is a former American college and professional football player. An offensive tackle, he played college football at Bowling Green State, and played professionally in the American Football League for the New York Titans in 1960. for defamation, alleging he called her "evil" and "a slut." Green declined to comment, saying the lawsuit speaks for itself. Baker also would not comment and the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Green did not return phone calls. The lawsuit filed July 20 in Antelope Valley Superior Court is seeking punitive and exemplary damages exemplary damages n. often called punitive damages, these are damages requested and/or awarded in a lawsuit when the defendant's willful acts were malicious, violent, oppressive, fraudulent, wanton, or grossly reckless. for defamation and infliction in·flic·tion n. 1. The act or process of imposing or meting out something unpleasant. 2. Something, such as punishment, that is inflicted. Noun 1. of emotional distress emotional distress n. an increasingly popular basis for a claim of damages in lawsuits for injury due to the negligence or intentional acts of another. Originally damages for emotional distress were only awardable in conjunction with damages for actual physical harm. . Baker's "vindictive" comments about Green were made in open court in January, according to the lawsuit. As a result of the defamation, Green has "suffered loss to her reputation, shame, mortification MORTIFICATION, Scotch law. This term is nearly synonymous with mortmain. and hurt feelings," the lawsuit said. "The false allegations were communicated to and heard by fellow deputy district attorneys DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. The Act of Congress of March 3, 1815, 2 Story L. U. S. 1530, authorizes and directs the district attorneys of the United States to appoint by warrant, an attorney as their substitute or deputy in all cases when necessary to sue or prosecute for the United , a law enforcement officer, the court reporter, a private criminal defense attorney, a bench officer, and potentially others," the lawsuit said. The lawsuit also said that prior to the incident, Green enjoyed a good reputation as a prosecutor but since then began to "experience interference with her working relationships ... following defendant's untrue allegations...." karen.maeshiro@dailynews.com (661) 267-5744 |
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