Man faces criminal libel charges over Craigslist posts

A Colorado man is facing criminal libel charges after his ex-girlfriend complained to the police about posts he allegedly made about her on Craigslist, according to The Associated Press.

J.P. Weichel was charged with two counts of criminal libel after authorities traced the postings, which claimed that the woman and her attorney had exchanged sex acts for legal services, and determined that Weichel was the suspect, The AP said. He reportedly told investigators in August that he had been "just venting."

Criminal libel, which aims to punish false and personally harmful statements, is generally a rarely-used charge, but just last month in Colorado another such case was brought against a man over allegedly doctored photos. The AP reports that criminal libel in Colorado is punishable by up to 18 months in prison.