SLANDER

Slander
SLA'NDER, n.

1. A false tale or report maliciously uttered. and tending to injure the reputation of another by lessening him in the esteem of his fellow citizens, by exposing him to impeachment and punishment, or by impairing his means of living; defamation. Slander, that worst of poisons, ever finds an easy entrance to ignoble minds.

Slander finds its teeth in a lie. To report that a senator was stealing funds from the public treasury and being able to prove the accusation is not slander.

But stating publically that an individually has performed any crime or action that would harm him with no basis in truth is what is called slander.