Do I have a defamation case againgst this woman?

Hi,
My boyfriends sister in law and I don't get along because of things she has said in the past about me that weren't true. Like for example that I am cheating on my boyfriend because she has seen me with several man, or that I really don't work late and that I go see these man after work. The latest one is that I somehow got her in trouble at work by telling people that she is HIV positive and that the baby I'm carrying isn't my boyfriend's. Usually I don't confront her with anything she says because I always thought that it would mean that I let her get to me but now that she said this I want to do something about it. This is serious to me because I'm an HIV counselor and I know the laws about confidentiallity and I'm afraid that this will affect my job. If someone at my job ever hears a rumor about me telling peoples HIV status I could get fired. I think this has gone far enough and I want to put an end to it. Do I have a case or how can I scare her into stop lying?
Thanks

If her statements are jeopardizing your employment, I think the first thing I'd do would be go to my own supervisor and give her a written and dated statement about what is going on, just as you did here. That way, if it ever comes back, they will already be aware of the troubles you are having.

Next, document everything she says. If you can, record her statements. That is more documentable proof. What she says is heresay until you can prove it. Then it becomes harassment.

Is she HIV positive? If she is not and saying you are telling people she is, then that is a blatant lie, and you cannot be charged for saying something you did not say.

It is obscene the way some people behave. Maybe kill her with kindness? I don't know. It seems like there must be something you can do.

Break up with your bf and get a new man. It's not worth the drama.

Or you could slash her tires and give her a warning that it'll be her face next time.

You have no legal case at this point. Libel (written words that a re damaging) and slander (spoken words that are damaging) are the bases for defamation and both require that the words be "published" to a third person and that the third person could not reasonably know that the information was false (this is why comedy sketches, while false, are not libel -- no reasonable person would believe the joke is truthful). Also, you have to prove you were damaged by the false statements she made. If you can't show some damages -- usually this requires the loss of a job or job opportunity -- then you have no case for defamation. You can't do anything legally at this point.

Get a boyfriend with a stable & loving family who treat you with respect.

Contact local law enforcement or a attorney to see if you have a case against her.

Don't do anything illegal, unethical or immoral to " scare" her. It will eventually come out and make you look bad.