Mark Twain impersonator from Hannibal sues four people for libel

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- A Mark Twain impersonator has sued four people, claiming they damaged his reputation in Hannibal so much that his "career" as Mark Twain was destroyed.

George Scott is seeking $1 million each from two Hannibal business owners and the leaders of two local organizations, claiming they libeled and slandered him in an e-mail they circulated in 2004.

The defendants are Kay Bogue, co-owner of Twainland Express and the Mark Twain Dinette and Family Restaurant; Larry Craig, executive director of the Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce; the city of Hannibal, Catherine Rahe, former executive director of the Hannibal Convention & Visitors Bureau; and Steve Ayers, co-owner of Java Jive and Ayers Pottery.

The lawsuit was filed July 5 in Marion County Court. It revolves around an e-mail in which Bogue described an incident that resulted in Scott's arrest on June 28, 2004. Bogue sent the e-mail to Craig, who added comments and sent it to Rahe, who forwarded it to several business owners in downtown Hannibal, including Ayers. The lawsuit claims Ayers distributed copies of the e-mail in downtown Hannibal.

According to the lawsuit, after the e-mail was circulated, Scott was no longer allowed to use space in a business and was unable to work in town.

"Plaintiff has suffered irreparable harm in the city of Hannibal and will have to leave his lovely home and relocate to another area," the lawsuit said.