In a response filed in BC Supreme Court, a Kamloops city councillor being sued for libel and defamation by the Mayor claims he tried to use her family as leverage to control her.

In his notice of civil claim Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson claimed last month that Neustaeter had “maliciously” damaged his reputation in the eyes of the public – after she read a joint statement of council that among other things, said the mayor had “repeatedly violated personal and professional boundaries.”

In her response, Katie Neustaeter claims Hamer-Jackson tried to contact her father, former Kamloops MLA Kevin Kruger, and disclosed personal, family information to the rest of city council and some city staff.

The response to civil claim says the Mayor set up a meeting with her father and knew a lot of “stuff” about her family.

Neustaeter also alleges Hamer-Jackson wanted her help to fire an unnamed staff member.

It was then she says she repeatedly told the Mayor not to involve her family in city business in writing – of which examples are provided in her response, which you can read here.

The response also alleges on or about March 2, another city council member wrote to Neustaeter and council noting that Hamer-Jackson had shared information about his son with city staff, and repeatedly tried to insert himself into the councillor’s son’s employment.

Also in the suit, there are 19 other examples of what Neustaeter says were boundary violations and disruptive behavior.

Neustaeter has retained the Vancouver law firm Harper Grey LLP, while Hamer-Jackson is represented by his friend, Kamloops lawyer David A. McMillan.

The city is covering Neustaeter’s legal expenses.

None of the allegations from Hamer-Jackson or Neustaeter have been proven in court.