Jessie Rahe has filed a defamation lawsuit in the District Court of Comal County, Texas, against Scott Moon and a group of unnamed individuals (John Does 1-10) over statements made in a Facebook group. Rahe alleges that Moon falsely claimed she used a sexual harassment complaint to obtain her position as Comal County Auditor. She argues that this statement is entirely false and has caused significant harm to her professional reputation and personal integrity.
The lawsuit centers around how misinformation, particularly in online public forums, can inflict lasting damage on an individual’s career and public standing. Rahe is seeking between $250,000 and $1,000,000 in damages, including compensation for emotional distress, reputational harm, and financial losses. She is also seeking punitive damages, arguing that Moon either acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth.
Background: The “38 Comal” Facebook Group and Its Role in the Case
The controversy originated in a Facebook group called “38 Comal,” created by Richard Ormsby on October 6, 2024. The group was formed in response to changes made to the Comal County pay scale for deputy sheriffs.
According to Ormsby, the Comal County Commissioners’ pay scale revisions left 38 deputies out of the adjusted salary structure. The group’s discussions have largely focused on criticizing county officials for failing to address what members see as an unfair exclusion of these 38 deputies.
As frustration grew within the group, the conversation expanded beyond elected officials and began scrutinizing Jessie Rahe, the County Auditor. While Rahe argues that her role was strictly administrative and did not involve policymaking, some members of “38 Comal” questioned her appointment and whether she influenced salary decisions.
On October 30, 2024, Ormsby posted the following message in the group:
“Does anyone know where the auditor came from and how she scored the job? Jessie Rahe @everyone.”
This post sparked speculation, leading to Scott Moon’s allegedly defamatory statement.
The Defamatory Statement and Allegations Against Moon
Scott Moon responded to Ormsby’s post with the following claim:
“She (Rahe) filed a complaint of [s]exual [h]arassment against Renken. He was supposedly having a fling with one of the ladies in that office. He was either fired or resigned[,] I can’t remember. She then got the job.”
Rahe argues that this statement is completely false and damaging. She asserts that:
• She never filed a sexual harassment complaint against her predecessor, David Renken.
• Her appointment as County Auditor was unrelated to any alleged misconduct by Renken.
• The decision to appoint her was made by district judges, following standard procedures.
Moon’s statement was followed by additional alleged derogatory remarks from other group members. One anonymous user, “Maximus”, added:
“I don’t know who [Jessie Rahe] is, but I’ll take a guess and say she’s in the right pay scale with no problems. It’s the non[-]important employees that are affected. You know, the ones that carry the weight for these bottom feeders.”
Rahe contends that Moon’s statement, and the broader discussion it triggered, has significantly damaged her professional standing. She argues that by falsely accusing her of using a fabricated sexual harassment complaint to secure her job, Moon has:
• Exposed her to public hatred, contempt, and ridicule.
• Harmed her credibility and integrity in the workplace.
• Potentially jeopardized her future career opportunities.
Legal Claims for Defamation
Rahe’s lawsuit is based on two key legal claims:
1. Libel – Under Texas law, libel occurs when a written defamatory statement is published and causes harm. To establish libel, Rahe must prove:
• The statement was published to a third party.
• The statement was false.
• The statement was defamatory and exposed her to public scorn.
• Moon acted with at least negligence in publishing the statement.
• The statement caused actual harm to her reputation.
2. Libel Per Se – Some statements are so inherently damaging that harm is presumed.
• Texas law considers defamatory statements that harm a person’s profession as libel per se.
• Rahe argues that Moon’s claim that she fabricated a harassment complaint to get a promotion directly undermines her professional integrity.
Because the statement is directly related to her career, Rahe does not need to provide additional proof of damages—they are presumed under Texas law.
Evidence Supporting Rahe’s Claims
Rahe argues that Moon’s statement is demonstrably false based on the following evidence:
• No Record of a Sexual Harassment Complaint:
• There is no evidence that Rahe ever filed a complaint against Renken.
• Renken’s Resignation Was Unrelated:
• Renken resigned after learning that district judges intended to remove him.
• His own resignation email makes no mention of a harassment complaint.
• Rahe Was Appointed by District Judges:
• The decision to appoint Rahe as interim County Auditor in 2016 was made by the judges, not due to any internal scandal.
• In 2017, she was officially appointed to the role, further reinforcing that her hiring followed normal procedures.
Rahe contends that Moon could have easily verified the facts before making his statement. By failing to do so, he either acted with malice or reckless disregard for the truth, which could increase the damages she is entitled to recover.
Damages and Requested Relief
Rahe is seeking significant damages due to the harm caused by Moon’s statement. She argues that the false claim has:
• Damaged her professional reputation.
• Caused emotional distress and mental anguish.
• Harmed her earning potential and career opportunities.
To address these harms, she is requesting:
• Actual damages – Compensation for reputational harm and emotional distress.
• Special damages – Compensation for potential loss of employment or reduced career prospects.
• Exemplary (punitive) damages – Additional damages to punish Moon for making false and harmful statements.
• Legal costs and interest on any awarded damages.
Disclaimer
The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented.
Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.
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