District of Mission Coun. Paul Horn has been served with a notice of civil claim alleging slander made in council chambers, according to documents filed in the Supreme Court of B.C. registry on Monday.
Kalvan Gill, a director and officer of Timberwood Equipment Inc. in Mission, alleges that at a regular council meeting during the second week of October 2009, Horn made defamatory remarks.
The statement of claim says the words were “calculated to disparage the Plaintiffs in their business and affairs,” and consequently “seriously damaged” their reputations, causing distress and embarrassment.
The document goes on to say that Horn demonstrated malice, a lack of good faith and has “abused his public office in his dealings with Gill, the Gill Group of Companies and Timberwood.”
The plaintiffs are asking for general damage, interest pursuant to the Court Order Interest Act and associated costs of the civil claim.
The allegations are unproven and Horn has not yet filed his response.