Andrew Pampu v. Erin Wingo

Syllabus

In this defamation action, Appellant-Respondent Andrew Pampu seeks review of the circuit court's judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) on his civil conspiracy claim. Pampu argues there was sufficient evidence of the elements of civil conspiracy to support the jury's verdict for him. Respondents-Appellants challenge the circuit court's denial of their directed verdict and JNOV motions on Pampu's defamation claim. They argue that collateral estoppel precludes Pampu from establishing the falsity of their alleged defamatory statements because an administrative hearing board for Clemson University's Office of Community and Ethical Standards found that Pampu had sex with Respondent-Appellant Erin Wingo when she was intoxicated and did not have the capacity to consent. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for the entry of a JNOV on Pampu's defamation claim.