Part of: Assignment Desk Works, LLC v. Alexis Berg · Musgrave v. Mace (2:25-cv-01823-RMG) · Litigation Overview & Court-Filing Index
US Rep. Nancy Mace sued for libel and defamation after making public accusations of abuse
Brian Musgrave, one of the four men Mace accused by name in her February 2025 House floor speech, filed a federal defamation and libel suit against her. The case was dismissed with prejudice on August 20, 2025: the court substituted the United States for Mace under the Westfall Act, held that the speech and related press and social-media statements were within the scope of her employment, and found the libel claims barred by the Federal Tort Claims Act. All allegations are contested; Mace denied wrongdoing.
Caitlin Byrd ·
"I am not a rapist. I am not a predator. I am not a sex trafficker.", Brian Musgrave, plaintiff
Post and Courier reporter Caitlin Byrd broke the news on March 14, 2025 that Brian Musgrave, one of the four men Mace accused by name during her February 11 House floor speech, had filed a federal defamation and libel suit against her. Musgrave's complaint argued that Mace's accusations had caused him concrete reputational and economic harm.
The filing challenged the reach of the Speech or Debate Clause, the constitutional provision that typically shields legislators from civil liability for statements made on the floor:
"It does not transform the floor of Congress into a sanctuary for defamation, nor does it protect Congresswoman Mace's extra-Congressional defamatory statements surrounding her speech.", court filing, as reported by the Post and Courier
The case was ultimately dismissed with prejudice on August 20, 2025. Judge Richard Gergel substituted the United States as defendant under the Westfall Act after finding that Mace's House speech and her related communications with the press and on social media were within the scope of her employment, held the libel claims barred by the Federal Tort Claims Act, and dismissed the constitutional claim. The order states that the court "offers no opinion concerning the truthfulness or the lack of truthfulness" of Mace's allegations. Read the full account and the orders. Musgrave had also denied Mace's allegations in a separate statement.
Mace denied wrongdoing throughout. All allegations she made against Musgrave are contested and unproven. Litigation in related cases involving other parties, including Mace's ex-fiancé Patrick Bryant, remains active in South Carolina courts.
Related coverage
Read next
March 10, 2025 · DispatchExclusive: Man accused as 'predator' by Rep. Nancy Mace breaks his silence
In an exclusive interview with CNN national correspondent Randi Kaye, aired the evening of March 10, 2025 as a segment on 'Anderson Cooper 360°', Brian Musgrave, one of the four men Rep. Nancy Mace named in her House floor speech, denied her allegations on camera: 'Absolutely not. No, no.' Mace's allegations are contested and unproven; the dispute is the subject of ongoing civil litigation.
February 11, 2025 · DispatchRep. Nancy Mace details accusations of rape and sexual abuse in a speech from the House floor
Mace used a 50-plus-minute House floor speech to accuse four named men, including her ex-fiancé Patrick Bryant, of rape, sex trafficking, and other crimes. All four men categorically denied the allegations to NBC. The speech triggered multiple defamation lawsuits and is central to ongoing litigation; all allegations are contested and unproven.
August 23, 2026 · DispatchMace Won't Talk About Brian Musgrave, and He Isn't Even Under the Gag Order
A year ago this week, a federal judge ended Brian Musgrave's defamation case against Rep. Nancy Mace, not because her 'predator' accusation was found true, but because the court held she was immune. Eighteen months after she named the Fort Mill businessman from the House floor, there is still no criminal charge, no evidence produced, no retraction, and SLED has told him he is not a target. Musgrave was never a party to the case Mace is gagged in, and his own case is closed, so nothing bars her from answering for the accusation. She simply does not.
December 10, 2025 · DispatchJudge issues gag order restricting Nancy Mace and others from speaking about ongoing lawsuits
The Post and Courier reports that Judge Hocker imposed a sua sponte gag order barring Mace and eight other parties from publicly discussing two related civil lawsuits, following her February 2025 House floor speech accusing four men of sexual exploitation.
November 7, 2025 · DispatchNew Filings Accuse Nancy Mace of Fabricating Sexual Assault Claims
FITSNews covered Bryant's third-party complaint accusing Mace, Melissa Britton, and Jane Doe of conspiring to fabricate sexual assault allegations for personal and political gain. Bryant denied all underlying allegations. Mace denied Bryant's account and called the filing an attempt to pay her again. All allegations are contested; litigation is active.
May 23, 2025 · DispatchUnder oath, former Nancy Mace strategist says SC congresswoman asked him to 'blackmail' her ex
Under oath in a deposition, Mace's former campaign strategist Wesley Donehue testified that she asked him to 'blackmail' her ex-fiancé Patrick Bryant over property and photos, not to contact police, and that he refused. Mace contests the characterization; all parties deny the most serious allegations; litigation is ongoing.