NAVAJO COUNTY, Ariz. — LD7 State Rep. Walt Blackman has filed a defamation lawsuit in Navajo County Superior Court after a series of social media posts accused him of falsely claiming receipt of an individual Bronze Star Medal with a “V” Device. Records indicate the defendants were served with the lawsuit on Jan.2.
The lawsuit names Karen MacKean-Slaton, Steven Slaton, and The Trumped Store Market and Coffee House as defendants.
According to the complaint, the Slatons and the Trumped Store published multiple posts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook in October 2025 stating that Blackman had been “caught lying” about the specifics of his Bronze Star and asserting that the lawmaker was guilty of stolen valor.
One post stated that Blackman “did not receive a ‘bronze medal’ for individual valor; his unit did,” describing the distinction as “very different.” The posts alleged that Blackman had falsely represented receiving a valor “V” device with the medal. The posts further claimed the allegation had been “confirmed through The National Archives.”
Slaton’s reference to a “Bronze Medal for individual valor” is inaccurate, as no such medal exists under Army regulations; the Bronze Star Medal is an individual decoration, and valor is denoted, when applicable, by a “V” device—not by a separate medal and not by a unit award.
Blackman’s official military records, including his award orders and DD Form 214, clearly verify receipt of a Bronze Star Medal, consistent with the definition and annotation under Army Regulation 600-8-22.
Multiple veterans came to Blackman’s defence on the posts, commenting that the Bronze Star Medal is an individual award, not a unit award. Although these factual comments were made, the posts remain.
The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded either with or without a valor designation. A Bronze Star Medal awarded with a “V” device signifies heroism in combat, while a Bronze Star awarded without the device recognizes meritorious service or achievement in a combat zone. Both are individual military decorations under Army Regulation 600-8-22, and the absence of a “V” device does not diminish the validity of the award. Blackman states he has never claimed to have received a valor device and that his records and public comments accurately reflect the type of Bronze Star Medal he was awarded.
Blackman is a decorated combat veteran of the U.S. Army and an elected public official. In his complaint, he states that he has never claimed receipt of a Bronze Star Medal with a valor device and that his official military records — including his DD Form 214 and permanent military orders — list the Bronze Star Medal as an individual award without the “V” device.
Mountain Daily Star was granted access to Rep. Blackman’s military records during a stolen valor investigation involving Steven Slaton. Slaton was running for the LD7 seat in the Arizona House when he claimed to have served in Vietnam and flown a Cobra helicopter. Stolen Valor groups obtained Slaton’s military records from the National Archives and confirmed that Slaton did not serve in Vietnam. These findings were broadcast all over the news, and protests ensued.
Rather than admit the fault, the Slatons went on to blast, defame, threaten lawsuits, and harass those involved with the findings. He then turned his loss in the election into years of online sparring with people, including Blackman.
It’s important to note that Slaton did not sue anyone for his complaints about obtaining his accurate military records and reporting on them.
The Battleline Podcast ran a special on Steve Slaton. Kris “Tanto” Paronto was part of the CIA annex security team that responded to the terrorist attack on the US Special Mission in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11th, 2012, and Ian Scotto, host/executive producer of Battleline Podcast.
Slaton’s Stolen Valor was debated all over the country by multiple podcasts, news outlets, and journalists.
While all of this was occurring, Arizona veterans demanded change and accountability. That’s when the Stolen Valor Act was created, and after incredible legislative hurdles, it was ultimately signed by Arizona Governor Hobbs. It’s now the Law in Arizona, and veterans’ valor is safe.
This outlet reviewed Blackman’s records obtained from the National Archives, including documentation confirming his receipt of a Bronze Star Medal. Blackman received a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
The Bronze Star Medal was awarded to Blackman for exceptional meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom II, while serving as a section sergeant and tank commander in full-spectrum continuous combat operations dedicated to his fellow soldiers on the battlefield. The Bronze Star Medal is an executive order from the President of the United States.
The complaint alleges the defendants falsely invoked the National Archives as an authoritative source to lend credibility to the accusations, despite having no factual basis for the claim. Blackman contends that the statements were presented as verifiable facts rather than opinions and that he was accused of dishonesty, thereby harming his reputation and public standing.
Because Blackman is a public official, the lawsuit alleges the defendants acted with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth — the legal standard required in defamation cases involving public figures.
Before filing suit, Blackman sent a Good Faith letter, demanding a public retraction and apology. The notice allowed the defendants to correct the record on the same platforms where the statements appeared. No retraction was issued, nor an apology. Blackman waited for 30 days to see if the Slatons would come to their senses, but it never happened.
As of this publication, a review by this journalist found the posts alleged in the lawsuit remained visible on the accounts where they were published. No public retraction or correction was observed. One post mocked the lawsuit itself, stating Blackman would be “better off running a day care center than suing your constituents.” The posts used a mocking and disparaging tone and included personal insults directed at Blackman, as well as claims about his character, employment history, and fitness for public office.
Blackman is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as post-judgment corrective relief requiring removal of the statements and publication of a correction. He has also requested a jury trial.
In a statement to Mountain Daily Star, Blackman said he would allow the legal process to move forward. “We will let the courts sort this out,” Blackman said. “I believe in Arizonans’ right to free speech, and I will defend that right with my life and with my proven record of devoted service to the people of Arizona. This goes beyond free speech, and as an Arizonan, I am exercising my God-given right to let the courts decide.”
Upcoming court dates have not yet been determined.
