A Sacramento resident has filed a defamation lawsuit against multiple media outlets and the local sheriff's department, alleging false accusations of sexual misconduct. Tommy F. McNeel Jr. lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, on June 25, 2024, targeting Nexstar Media Group Inc., Gannett Company, and the Sacramento County Sheriff/County Board of Supervisors.
According to the court documents, McNeel claims that on or about June 25, 2023, these defendants published defamatory statements on social media and television news alerts accusing him of improper sexual conduct and criminal activity. Specifically, ABC10 reported two counts of sexual assault against a mother and daughter, while FOX40 alleged that McNeel had sexually assaulted a child. The Sacramento Sheriff's Department corroborated these allegations through an interview given by Sergeant Amar Gandhi to both media outlets.
McNeel asserts that these statements are entirely false and have severely damaged his reputation. He states that he was exonerated of all charges related to the allegations made by an adult woman. The defamatory publications have allegedly exposed him to "hatred, contempt, ridicule and obloquy," causing significant personal and professional harm.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages amounting to $4 million for loss of reputation, shame, mortification, and emotional distress. Additionally, McNeel is demanding punitive damages for what he describes as malicious intent behind the publication of these false statements. He argues that the defendants acted with "malice, hatred and ill will" towards him and published the defamatory content with reckless disregard for the truth.
The lawsuit requests several forms of relief from the court: compensatory damages according to proof presented at trial; punitive damages; interest as allowed by law; costs associated with bringing the suit; and any other relief deemed just and proper by the court.
Representing McNeel in this case are attorneys whose names were not specified in the provided document. The case will be overseen by judges from the Superior Court of California in Sacramento County under Case No: [not provided].