Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie filed a civil defamation lawsuit against former town councilmember Kevin Cunnane on December 23, 2025, alleging repeated false claims that Haynie is a pedophile. The suit traces tensions to 2018 social media exchanges and specifies incidents in December 2023 and October 2025 where Cunnane allegedly made these statements to third parties.​
Lawsuit Claims
Haynie, as a public figure, argues Cunnane acted with actual malice—knowing the statements were false or with reckless disregard for truth. The mayor seeks a jury trial, unspecified damages, a permanent injunction against future defamatory remarks, and a court-ordered apology with Haynie dictating its publication.​
Background Context
The dispute stems from mid-to-late 2010s local politics, escalating after Cunnane’s alleged vulgar 2018 Facebook post prompted Haynie’s rebuke. Neither party commented further, with Haynie’s office noting the filing was personal.​
