Man claims three individuals made false, defamatory statements

MORGANTOWN – A man is suing three individuals for allegedly making false and defamatory statements about him to third parties.

On Aug. 24, and on other dates, Anoop Shankar, Deeban Ganesan and Srinivas Teppala made false and defamatory oral and written statements against Dr. Ian Rockett, according to a complaint filed Nov. 30 in Monongalia Circuit Court.

Rockett claims the defamatory statements were non-privileged communications to a third party, were false, made references to him and were at least negligent on the part of the defendants, resulting in injury.

The defendants knew the statements were fabricated and false at the time they made them, according to the suit, and damaged Rockett’s reputation, character and integrity.

Rockett claims he was humiliated, distressed and outraged by the false and defamatory statements.

The defendants agreed to fabricate, publish and corroborate the false and defamatory statements to third parties, according to the suit, and, as a result of the agreement and following through with the agreement, Rockett’s character and integrity have been called into question and placed into jeopardy.

Rockett claims the defendants intentionally or recklessly inflected emotional distress upon him.

Each of the defendants committed acts against Rockett and did so in concert with one another or pursuant to a common design among the three defendants, according to the suit, and each of the defendants gave substantial assistance to the others in accomplishing a result and breach of duty owed to Rockett.

Rockett is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Bader C. Giggenbach.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 12-C-825