Sen. Anthony Williams Responds To Defamation Suit By Golf Club Employee

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA — State Sen. Anthony H. Williams is denying that he made up a story about a racial slur being used as a catalyst for a fight that took place between his cousin and a local golf club employee.

Lawyers for Williams have filed an answer to a complaint by Hunter Wagner, an employee of The Club at Shannondell in the Audubon section of Lower Providence, who filed suit against Williams back in September claiming that the senator made up a story to the press about Wagner having used a racial slur against the senator's cousin and senatorial aide, Jonathan Williams, during a November 2020 altercation.

Wagner claims that Jonathan Williams, who is both related to and works for Sen. Williams, attacked him after the Williams golfing party asked for a refund due to a perceived slow pace of play at the golf course, but was denied their money back.

After Williams was charged criminally in connection with the fight, Sen. Williams went on local television news and said that the reason behind the altercation was that Wagner used a racial slur against Jonathan Williams. In his suit, Wagner claims that the senator completely concocted that story to make an excuse for why his cousin went on the attack, which was caught on video.

Late last month, lawyers for the senator filed an Answer and New Matter in response to Wagner's suit, in which Wagner's allegations are denied.

"It is specifically denied that Senator Williams 'concocted' a story about Plaintiff," the court filing reads. "Strict proof is demanded at the time of trial."

Wagner's suit contains counts of defamation, injurious falsehood, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

In his answer to the suit, the senator denies all claims.

The recent filing also contains a new matter section, in which the senator's lawyers list a number of affirmative defenses in the litigation, stating that they will argue at trial that, among other things, the plaintiff's claims are barred or limited by the truth; the alleged defamatory communication was privileged; the alleged defamatory communication were on a matter of public concern; the alleged defamatory communications were true; and that the alleged defamatory communications were justified.

The recent court documents were filed by the senator's civil attorney, Charles M. Gibbs, of the Philadelphia law firm of McMonagle, Perri, McHugh, Mischak & Davis.

The lawsuit is playing out in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.