BOE Defamation Lawsuit Settled With Bernards Township Resident

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A defamation lawsuit filed by Bernards Board of Education(BOE) member Kirsten Light against losing candidate Erica Blackman and township resident Stacy Lettie, has been settled against one of the two.

Light announced at the Tuesday BOE Reorganization that she was happy to update that she "reached a confidential settlement with one of the defendants that has satisfactorily resolved my lawsuit as to that individual."

Lettie confirmed to Patch "that there is no longer a pending matter against me."

Lettie's GoFundMe page to raise funds to cover her legal fees is no longer active.

However, Blackman's GoFundMe page is still active. She has raised $12,815 as of Thursday to cover legal fees. Read More: Fundraisers Set Up For Defense Against Bernards BOE Member's Lawsuit

The description on her fundraising page states:

"Erica wrote a letter to the editor as a concerned citizen. The subject of that letter is now suing Erica for defamation and conspiracy when there was no defamation. Erica needs help to defend herself and stand up for her beliefs."

"As to the second individual, we will continue to go through the legal process separate and apart from my position on the board. I remain hopeful that a resolution can be reached and remain open to discussion concerning a possible resolution although my previous efforts have been rejected by this individual," said Light speaking as a private citizen at the meeting.

The lawsuit filed following the 2022 school board election in November claimed Lettie and Blackman"embarked on a malicious and unprovoked smear campaign" during the election. Read More: Bernards BOE Member Claims 'Defamation, Libel, Slander' In Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed in Somerset County Superior Court claims Blackman and Lettie falsely accused Light "of being anti-Semitic, antiLGBTQ+, in support of an 'opt-out' option for teachings concerning the Holocaust and other genocides, and otherwise waged an all-out and unjustified assault on [Light's] character, reputation, and proficiency with respect to her service on the Bernards Township Board of Education."

Light is currently serving on the Bernards BOE with her term ending Dec. 31, 2024. Blackman recently ran for one of the three seats on the Bernards Board of Education but came in fourth with 4,846 votes.

During the Jan. 3 reorganization meeting, Light explained her decision to pursue litigation. Light claims at the end of October she tried personally and with the help of counsel to resolve the ongoing legal issues with Blackman and Lettie.

"I commenced a lawsuit to protect my family, employment, and reputation. I did not take this action lightly. No one wants to be embroiled in with litigation especially with your neighbors. But after much deliberation and only spending more than a month trying to resolve this outside of the courts. I proceeded with this lawsuit," said Light.

"In today's political climate accusations can lead to unintended or intended consequences and the risks to me and my family was too great to allow these issues to remain unresolved," said Light.

Blackman said she was previously represented by William J. Hughes, Jr. of the small general practice firm - Porzio, Bromberg & Newman.

Blackman said she was unable to immediately respond with a comment as she is working.

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