What is an example of a statement that could be considered defamatory?

A statement that could be considered defamatory in Virginia is one that harms a person’s reputation or brings them into disrepute. In Virginia, a statement can be found to be defamatory if it is false and if it is published to a third party. Examples of defamatory statements include accusing someone of a crime they did not commit, accusing someone of being morally bankrupt, stating that someone is unable to perform their job, or making a statement insinuating someone has a contagious illness. All of these statements, if false and published, could be considered defamatory and the person being spoken about could pursue a case of defamation against the person making the statement.

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What is an example of a statement that could be considered defamatory?

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