Bank 'besmirched' customer's good name, suit says

Kenneth Kitson has filed suit against the Bank of Edwardsville, alleging the bank defamed him by accusing him of fraud.

According to a suit filed July 21 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Kitson claims the bank sent a report to a credit reporting agency in May 2007 that indicated a loan to him "had been charged off due to fraud activity."

"That the statement aforementioned was intended to defame the plaintiff by accusing him of fraud in his transaction with The Bank of Edwardsville...," the complaint states.

Kitson became aware of the remark when a credit report was given to him on July 24, 2007, and again in August 2007, his suit says.

He alleges that his character "has been maligned and defamed by said derogatory and false statements."

"That other than having his good name besmirched, the plaintiff has suffered damages, in that his credit has been affected negatively," the complaint states.

Represented by Bernard J. Ysursa of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin of Belleville, Kitson is seeking in excess of $15,000 in damages plus costs of the suit.