A former county worker has filed defamation claims against a Cincinnati police officer in an ongoing federal lawsuit.
Former Job and Family Services social worker Madison Paul and Officer Jesse Hooven were both sued in federal court in April. The county, city and social service agency are named in the lawsuit as well.
Paul was accused of using a law enforcement database for Hooven, who was allegedly trying to get “dirt” on the new boyfriend of his ex-wife during a custody dispute.
In the suit, Hooven’s ex-wife, Holly Hooven, and Brendon Taylor said Jesse Hooven started a romantic relationship with Paul and used her to illegally access, use and disseminate confidential records that said Taylor had been sexually abused as a child. The lawsuit claims Jesse Hooven was looking for dirt to use in a custody dispute.
In a response filed in federal court, Paul argues it is Jesse Hooven’s false statements at the root of the lawsuit. She has filed defamation counterclaims against him.
Paul said she met Jesse Hooven through work and they had been in a romantic relationship until she broke things off, according to the response.