WAREHAM, Mass. (PRWEB)
May 14, 2021

The Rev. Robert Hiller Malm, an Episcopal priest canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, has been sued in the Wareham Massachusetts district court for alleged abuse of process, defamation/libel, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress by former parishioner and retired attorney Eric J. Bonetti, docket number 2160CV000109.

The pleadings allege that Malm observed the plaintiff peacefully protesting on a public street near St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion Massachusetts and contacted local police, allegedly telling officers that the plaintiff had “stalked,” harassed,” and “threatened” Malm.

Further, the pleadings allege that Malm subsequently filed a request for a harassment protection order based on similar fabrications, including allegedly telling the Wareham court that he had not committed perjury in prior litigation between the parties, with the improper objective of preventing Bonetti from protesting near the church. They also allege that Malm posted a defamatory video to the St. Gabriel’s website containing similar claims.

The pleadings further allege that Malm’s actions were intended to damage the plaintiff’s reputation and to cause emotional distress.

In addition to unspecified damages, the pleadings ask for an injunction prohibiting Malm from contacting the plaintiff, as well as a referral for criminal prosecution of Malm’s alleged perjury.

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