The city of Bangor has issued a statement to clarify the reasons behind a city council action earlier this month that some residents have complained could stifle free speech.

Minutes from the Bangor City Council meeting on January 6 says the council approved a “motion to allow the city attorney to file charges with the court against all parties involved in statements that have caused harm to the city.” We reached out to Bangor City Manager Justin Weber to ask what that was all about, and the city issued a statement saying it has been “greatly harmed” by false statements. The city says it considers speech to be defamatory if the speaker knows what they’re saying is false and if it harms the reputation of another.

At a January 21 meeting, City Attorney Scott Graham specified what it means.

“I’ve received statements saying that the city manager receives two paychecks,” Graham said. “The statement is false. Anyone who checked records would know it’s false.”

Graham’s remarks on the 21st were intended to clarify for the public what the council did on January 6.

In its statement, the city says it supports the right to free speech, but it does not support “the right to knowingly lie about the city and its representatives who are trying to conduct city business.”

You can see the city’s full statement below.