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.
