A woman who reportedly made defamatory statements about the Integrity Commission on various social media platforms 2 years ago, then defied a court order, was found to be in contempt.

Julie Malcolm was sentenced to a fine of $500,000.

If she fails to pay the fine within 10 days, she will be imprisoned for 3 weeks.

In a statement today, the Integrity Commission, noted that the Supreme Court has ruled in its favour, as it relates to an application for a contempt of court order brought against Ms. Malcolm.

It said the court determined that Ms. Malcolm violated a prior order, issued by Justice Lawrence-Grainger on August 16, 2023, and was therefore in contempt of court.

As a consequence, Ms. Malcolm has been ordered to pay a fine of $500,000 within 10 days of being served with the order, or serve a term of 21 days imprisonment in default of payment.

The contempt proceedings followed an earlier legal warning issued to Ms. Malcolm, who is alleged to have continuously published defamatory statements on various social media platforms, about the Commission.

It’s reported that on July 21, 2023, the Commission filed a claim against Ms. Malcolm seeking damages, aggravated and/or exemplary damages, interest, cost and such further relief or other relief as the court deems just.

Then on August 2, 2023, a notice of application for court orders, supported by an affidavit, was filed, seeking various injunctions.

These include to require the defendant, her servants, and / or agents to remove all posts from twitter, you tube, tik tok, face book, and other social media platforms, relating to the commission and allegations of corruption, as well as to restrain the defendant, her servants, and / or agents from uploading, publishing, or otherwise communicating the subject posts, or any words of similar content, on twitter, face book, or any other social media platforms.

Following non-compliance with the court’s order, the Integrity Commission filed a notice of application for contempt of court, on February 18, 2025.

The application sought several remedies, including, a formal declaration of contempt, an acknowledgement of the breach, committal to prison, legal costs, and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.

The Commission has welcomed the court’s ruling against Ms. Malcolm, which it said reinforces the significance of upholding compliance with court directives.

It said this ruling underscores the court’s firm stance on enforcing compliance and the serious consequences of defiance.