<p>Some very damaging information is coming up on the first page of Google searches on my name, as I learned from a family member. I’ve been looking into ways of burying it, and I’ve tried signing up for sites like LinkedIn that are supposed to come in high on search results, pushing other down, but so far this hasn’t worked. In fact, the bad entry is coming up even higher.</p>
<p>The bad result is a reference to a lawsuit that was filed against me and others by a disgruntled former coworker who was let go because of incompetence. The charges (which are completely untrue) are extremely damaging. Think the professional equivalent of child abuse or pedophilia. There were not any specific charges against me, and the case against me was dismissed early on. The case (with remaining defendants) went forward and was resolved by summary judgment. The judge wrote a 30+ page opinion demolishing the charges, because there was absolutely no evidence against anyone. </p>
<p>Any casual observer would not know all this, only that I was accused of something awful. My name, and that of other defendants who were dismissed, remains attached to the lawsuit. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any suggestions? I’m thinking of calling Reputation Defender, but from looking at their website I’m not sure that they could do anything to help me. There is no way of having the information removed, it is legitimate public information, basically a court document.</p>
<p>I have quite an unusual last name, unfortunately. Most of my “good” results are under “Firstname Maidenname Lastname”. The lawsuit comes up on about the 15th page if a search is done that way. But a search on “Firstname Lastname” brings up the lawsuit halfway down the first page.</p>
<p>(not a new member; just a new screen name because of sensitive topic)</p>