No trial in Klepper defamation lawsuit against Tiffin woman, going to mediation instead

TIFFIN, OH (TiffinOhio.net News) — A defamation lawsuit filed on behalf of a Tiffin woman in the Seneca County Common Pleas court is now going to mediation, court officials said Tuesday.

The lawsuit was launched in June on behalf of Karen Klepper against Tiffany Thompson, both of Tiffin.

According to the lawsuit, Klepper is “well-known in the community” and owns and operates a non-profit charitable organization, Reclaim It.

Klepper “contracted with Thompson’s estranged husband to perform projects for the charity.”

Lawyers for Klepper claim Thompson has repeatedly made defamatory statements about Klepper, and has also threatened, harassed, and intimidated Klepper.

The mediator, a neutral third party, will provide a forum that allows Klepper and Thompson (and their attorneys or support individuals, if present) to discuss their dispute and any other issues that may concern them.

These discussions may include everyone in the same room, or the mediator may speak with each party separately, including the attorneys, without their clients being present. The mediator also will make sure parties provide all documents, forms, or other materials needed to reach an agreement.

The mediator does not act as a judge and does not make any decisions in the case. While the mediator facilitates discussions in a “facilitative” mediation, and may even evaluate the case in an “evaluative” mediation, it is the attorney’s job to give advice and opinions to their clients. The goal of mediation is to allow the parties (rather than a judge or a jury) to decide the outcome of the case. The mediator will provide education and refer parties to other sources for support, where appropriate.

Klepper’s attorneys say the case is outlined around defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and interference with business relationships.

Klepper and Thompson may reach a partial settlement, and then reschedule the mediation to finalize remaining issues. If they do not settle, the case will be returned to the court’s regular schedule or “docket.” If some of the issues are settled, then the court may make a decision on only the unsettled issues.