Vigoda v. Barton

This is an action for libel and slander. Counts 3 and 4 of the plaintiff’s substitute declaration 1 allege that the defendant, superintendent and appointing authority of Boston State Hospital, libelled the plaintiff by writing and publishing in March, 1956, two letters, the first of which recommended dismissal and the second of which discharged the plaintiff from his position as a psychiatric social worker at Boston State Hospital. Count 5 alleges the publication of a defamatory “record,” referred to in the plaintiff’s brief as “unsigned charges.” Count 6 alleges slander in the form of a…