Suit against Parkersburg councilman dismissed

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) - A defamation lawsuit against a Parkersburg city councilman has been dismissed.

Douglas Evans, who filed the suit in October, 2018 against Eric Barber, claiming the district #4 councilman implied he was a pedophile. Evans charged the statement was made in response to a comment Evans made about a video posted on social media.

Barber denied Evans' claims.

Contacted by WTAP Friday morning, Barber said he was satisfied with the dismissal.

“The lawsuit had its intended consequence, which was: grab some headlines saying Eric Barber’s a bad guy," Barber said. "They tried to embarass me politically, and at the same time, intimidating and silencing anyone else who may be inclined to be as bold as I was.”

The comment was among several controversial statements made by the councilman, who was defeated for reelection to council Tuesday.

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