**All donations will be split evenly among the individuals to help with legal fees from fighting this defamation suit. Thank you.


Hello, my name is Mike Kinnaird. Myself and 5 others are being named in a defamation suit for speaking out against Livingston Academy teacher Mark Lee after multiple sexual harassment accusations came forward. Tonya M, Tosha D, Erica H, another victim’s family,  and I are all either parents of victims, victims themselves, or outspoken supporters of said victims.


The man suing us is the same person who “allegedly” victimized these children while at school, Mark Lee. (READ MORE: Mark Lee sues his accusers )


The newspapers in the area have reported about his “alleged” behavior. (Overton County News, Livingston Enterprise, Herald Citizen) The social media news outlets have reported the “alleged” sexual harassment of Mark Lee. (94.1 News Talk, Cookeville Holler, TN Holler) But he is claiming that we, the 6 parties, have caused him defamation because of his "alleged" behavior.


The D.A., Bryant Dunaway, did order an investigation into the matter. He found that he could have been charged with a Class B misdemeanor for assault and Class A misdemeanor for harassment, if not for the statute of limitations expiring on that criminal activity. When Dunaway spoke to a member of the Tennessee Holler he said he would NOT want his daughter in Mark Lee‘s classroom. (READ: TN Holler DA Bryant Dunaway Interview)


James Mark Lee's teachers license is now under “State Review" with the Tennessee Board of Education, which means they are currently investigating. The Overton County School System has not fired him, yet. Because of the brought forth allegations, the Director of Schools and Livingston Academy administration gave Lee a 3 day suspension, followed by a 90 suspension with no pay. That suspension has now expired and Lee is working virtually.


BACKSTORY— Mark Lee has been a science teacher for Livingston Academy since the late 90’s.


Over the years, multiple “allegations” have been brought to the Livingston Academy administration by the victims, other students and teachers who witnessed the misconduct. However, after each allegation the school never formally punished Lee.


The first publicly known allegation was from 2003 and not reported to school officials until 2006. She didn’t get a chance to tell the principal or the vice-principal, only the front office staff. They told her to avoid his class and to avoid him.


In 2017, a fellow teacher reported what was said from other students, that Mr. Lee was harassing a classmate. Later, the victim was called to the office without a parent, but was able to sneak a text her mom. Luckily, the mom was able to interrupt the meeting. After that, some classmates who witnessed the harassment on a daily basis came forward. They also signed affidavits for the D.A.’s office. The schools final solution for this issue was telling the student to stay away from Lee. (She was home schooled for the remainder of her schooling)


In 2019, the latest victim came forward. Two boys who witnessed the harassment and assault went to the principal. She was then addressed by the school administration without a guardian present. By her parents request, she was moved out of his class after a meeting with the principal and the Director of Schools. Recently, she bravely shared the details of the harassment in a video shared to Facebook. (WATCH: Confessional video of allegation made by 2019 victim)


Since then, several more have come forward on social media claiming similar stories (screenshots to prove that). His misconduct in the classroom has been expressed by many throughout Livingston, Cookeville and surrounding cities. How are these 6 individuals responsible for his defame?


After the D.A.’s closure letter was released, the Director of the Schools moved Mark Lee to a another school in the district to teach virtually. He is still a teacher, he is still employed by the school district. (READ: Mark Lee Reassigned)


For those who have read this, thank you! These girls are being victimized all over again by Lee filing this suit! We all are people living pay check to pay check, trying to make ends meet. We will now have to get a loan or borrow money to pay for these legal fees. Any donations will be split equally amongst us. Any donations to help pay for legal representation would be greatly appreciated.

For further reading please visit and read: Mark Lee timeline