Republican House candidate alleges defamation, harassment in online comments

BENNINGTON — Comments on internet sites have touched off a firestorm of allegations and countercharges involving a candidate for the Statehouse, the chairman of the Bennington County Democratic Party and other residents.

Kevin Hoyt, a Republican candidate in the Bennington 2-1 House district, is accusing the Democratic Party chairman, Aaron Sawyer, and two others of defaming him in social media comments and by word of mouth. He has filed a defamation suit against each person, and on Monday filed a motion in Superior Court seeking a "relief from abuse" order.

Hoyt filed a defamation complaint in May against Sawyer and has filed similar complaints against Nancy Koziol and Justin Woodie, all of Bennington.

As of Wednesday, Sawyer and Koziol had filed written responses with the court denying the allegations, and Koziol had filed a counterclaim against Hoyt. She alleges he is leveling unfounded complaints that could negatively affect her reputation, as well as harm her financially and in terms of her health.

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