One of the four men accused of being a sexual predator by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace on the House floor is suing the South Carolina congresswoman for defamation and libel, contending she knowingly made false claims about him both before and after the accusational speech.
Brian Musgrave filed his complaint March 14 in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, after his attorneys warned Mace two weeks ago to issue a retraction or to provide evidence supporting her claims.
On February 10, Mace unleashed a 53-minute speech on the House floor that accused Musgrave, her former fiancé, Patrick Bryant, and two other men of recording incidents of sexual exploitation, voyeurism and assault involving multiple women without their knowledge. All of the men, including Musgrave, have publicly denied her claims.
The lawsuit will challenge the boundaries of congressional immunity, as congress members’ words are typically shielded from legal action under the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause. However, Mace repeatedly broadcast her claims online and long after her address was delivered, including on Facebook and X.
Mace contends that as a member of Congress, her speech is protected. Musgrave is seeking a jury trial.
“You can’t use the House floor as a bullhorn to destroy people,” said attorney Eric Bland. “That’s not why you’re elected to office. I don’t think that’s what the protections were intended to do.”
Musgrave spoke to CNN about Mace’s House speech and his reaction.
Mace has not given any interviews about her allegations since her delivery but sometime this week, a “predator” poster came down outside of Mace’s office.
From the Post and Courier
