In a landmark defamation ruling, the High Court of Grenada has determined that The New Today publication engaged in libel against Karen Roden-Layne, the former general manager of the Grenada Solid Waste Management Authority (GSWMA). Justice Raulston Glasgow delivered the verdict on January 13, concluding the lengthy legal proceedings that spanned several years.
The case centered on allegations published by The New Today claiming Roden-Layne had misappropriated organizational funds through improper use of the authority’s credit card during an official trip to the United Kingdom. Justice Glasgow found the publication failed to substantiate these serious allegations with credible evidence.
Court documents revealed that following the original publication, GSWMA’s Board of Directors, then chaired by Dr. Bert Brathwaite, conducted a thorough internal investigation that completely exonerated Roden-Layne. The investigation concluded there had no misuse of corporate funds or credit facilities. These findings were subsequently published in The New Today as a paid advertisement, though the original defamatory content remained uncorrected.
The court has mandated a 21-day negotiation period for both parties to reach a mutually agreeable damages settlement. Should they fail to consensus by mid-February 2026, the matter will be referred to the Master of the Court for formal assessment and determination of appropriate compensation within two months.
George Worme, representing The New Today, faces significant financial liability following the court’s ruling, which underscores the critical importance of journalistic verification before publishing serious allegations against public figures.