COLUMBUS, Ind. - Former Bartholomew County Council Candidate Mark Bense is suing his opponent Leah Beyer and her husband Mathew Beyer for defamation due to alleged comments made on social media.
According to Bense's Complaint for Defamation (Slander) submitted to Bartholomew County Superior Court 1, the defendant Mathew Beyer allegedly submitted the following comment anonymously on the "Columbus Man" Facebook page: "Mark Bense. Do you ever get tired of suing people? Beating the crap out of your dad wasn't enough; you now have to bring another lawsuit? Same as the last one that got dismissed."
This Complaint for Defamation follows Bense's continuing efforts to change the results of the 2026 Bartholomew County Council District 2 Republican Primary Election, in which he lost to Leah Beyer by 7 votes. His initial Petition for the Recount of the Election was dismissed with prejudice by Bartholomew County Superior Court 1 Special Judge Richard Poynter on July 15 for improper filing.
On June 30, Mark Bense filed a petition "for alternative relief, including a request for new or special election", which the defendant Leah Beyer is filing to dismiss.
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