One of the four men accused by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) of sexual abuse is suing her for defamation, challenging the constitutional protection for congressional speech. The lawsuit, filed in South Carolina federal court, argues that Mace’s statements during a House floor speech about being raped and nonconsensually filmed are defamatory and fall outside the protections of the Speech or Debate Clause.
Mace made the allegations against her ex-fiancé, Patrick Bryant, and three other men in February. She displayed a hotline number for abuse victims and claimed South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson had ignored evidence of abuse she provided. Wilson denied her claims, stating he had no prior knowledge of the alleged assault.
Brian Musgrave, one of the men Mace accused, filed the defamation suit, denying any involvement in the events described by Mace. He alleges that her statements have destroyed his and his family’s lives. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages to deter future similar conduct.
The Speech or Debate Clause protects lawmakers for actions taken as part of their official duties, including speeches on the floor. However, Musgrave’s legal team argues this clause does not shield defamatory statements made outside of Congress. The case could set a precedent for how such claims are handled in the future.