August 2008

Palmer defamation suit dismissed

A defamation of character lawsuit filed by members of the Palmer College of Chiropractic Board of Trustees, the college and the administration was dismissed after an out-of-court agreement was reached by the two sides in the dispute.

Originally the lawsuit was filed against seven members of the former alumni association who allegedly made untrue statements and character attacks in 2004 against Palmer officials. The June 26, 2008 agreement called for the defendants to issue an apology for the statements, and for the college in turn to dismiss its lawsuit against them.

"All we've ever asked is that these individuals issue an apology to members of the Palmer Board of Trustees as well as the College administration, and we would dismiss the lawsuit," said Palmer Board of Trustees Chairman Trevor Ireland, DC. "The Board's intention in filing the lawsuit was to have the record set straight. As a Board, we held fast on our position that we would dismiss the lawsuit as soon as these individuals issued a public apology and admitted that their comments pertaining to the Palmer Board of Trustees, its members and the College administration were not true. We are very pleased with this outcome."

On June 26, the alumni -- John Willis, DC; David Reopelle, DC; Ted Conger, DC; Kirk Lee, DC; Marc Leuenberg, DC; Frank Bemis, DC; and Scott Harris, DC -- issued a collective public apology to the board, the college and the administration. Their official statement read: "We acknowledge that this situation has developed into something entirely different from anything we desire. We certainly do not now, nor have ever, wanted to harm Vickie Palmer or Palmer College or impugn their reputation in any manner. We apologize for any comments or actions which Vickie Palmer or Palmer College may have deemed offensive to them. We acknowledge that Vickie Anne Palmer has received nothing from Palmer College except for expense reimbursements in connection with her services as a trustee and chairperson of the board of trustees.

"In addition, we fully understand the governing structure of Palmer College of Chiropractic. The board of trustees makes and has always made the substantive policy decisions. Such decisions are not made by administrative personnel.

"We believed we exercised our First Amendment Rights. If we exceeded our Constitutional rights, we apologize.

"We apologize for the inconvenience and injured feelings Ms. Palmer and the trustees may have undergone."

The board accepted the apology and retraction, and the lawsuit was then dismissed.

"I am very pleased that Palmer was able to dismiss the lawsuit against these individuals," said Palmer Chancellor Larry Patten. "I am extremely proud of the Palmer Board of Trustees for its firm position relating to those who may choose to wrongfully denounce our people and our purpose. We appreciate the public apology. We are happy to have this matter behind us so that we can devote all of our energies and attention to moving the College forward."