A source has provided OceanPinesForum.com a copy of the following letter said to be sent to Wheatley by OPA’s attorney on November 16:

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CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE

Re: Defamatory Comments Posted On Facebook

Dear Ms. Wheatley:

As you know, this office represents Ocean Pines Association, Inc. (“Ocean Pines”).  With disillusionment, the Association finds it necessary to send this notice to you, a former Ocean Pines director. As a former director, you know the accuracy and inaccuracy of your statements about Ocean Pines,and the potential harm that false statements can cause to the reputation of Ocean Pines and its many employees.  

Ocean Pines is a well-respected business in the community and has spent decades building its positive reputation.  Ocean Pines employees over 100 persons and works with dozens of contractors to provide services for Ocean Pines’ members.  

The Association acknowledges that members may feel passionate about certain issues and may criticize Association decisions.   The directors, as you know, also regrettably understand that by volunteering to serve on the Board they may need to endure vile personal insults.  There is a point, however,when critical comments cross the line to defamatory statements.  Recent comments that you wrote and posted online crossed this threshold, and will not be tolerated.  

In Maryland, a false and defamatory communication is one which is false, and the maker knows is false, yet was made with reckless disregard of the truth.  Defamation can also be a communication which, on its face, is defamatory, e.g. a statement that one is a thief.  

The defamatory comments you made include two November 9, 2022 posts on Facebook, in which you call the Ocean Pines an “organized crime machine” and refer to Ocean Pines directors as felons, writing “felons are felons folks.”

As a former director, you know the falsity of these statements and yet you made them with reckless disregard of the truth.  To the extent you, as a former director, believe that the Ocean Pines is an organized criminal machine, or that the directors are felons, your statements are on their face false and defamatory.  

You must immediately cease and desist from making all such comments aimed at defaming Ocean Pines.  If you fail to immediately cease and desist, Ocean Pines may pursue all appropriate legal remedies against you.  

I suggest you contact me to discussion your intentions.  

Yours,

Jeremy M. Tucker