Defamation suit between exes dismissed

GALVESTON - A lawsuit stemming from false criminal accusations filed earlier this year has come to a close.

Galveston County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Christopher Dupuy signed an order of dismissal on Nov. 8, disposing Bert McWilliams's defamation suit against Tonya J. Moore.

McWilliams filed the motion earlier the same day.

He sued Moore after he was arrested on what he asserted were dubious claims made by his ex-spouse against him.

According to court papers submitted at the time, Moore intentionally and falsely reported to the Texas City Police Department that she was assaulted by the plaintiff on Feb. 15, 2008.

The charges in question remained pending until they were formally dismissed by the Galveston County District Attorney's Office in March 2009.

McWilliams also mentions that Moore committed fraud "by intentionally not disclosing to the plaintiff the existence of funds acquired during their marriage that she had secretly placed into an account in her name at ACU of Texas" despite a formal request for such information made during divorce proceedings between the two parties.

The defendant provided a formal rebuttal to her ex-husband's allegations, insisting he did not bring his action for slander and defamation within one year after the day of the cause of action.

Cause No. 64,863