University School of Nashville alum Gidgie Bass has asked a court to dismiss a defamation claim from Dean Masullo, her former English teacher, who left the school in 2024 after being publicly accused by Bass of sexual misconduct.
Masullo mounted his own defense, suing Bass personally in August over public statements from Bass alleging Masullo’s inappropriate sexual advances when she was a high school student. The school has since commissioned attorneys to conduct a full investigation into Masullo and parted ways with former director Amani Reed, who led the school until January 2025.
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Bass filed a petition in Davidson County Circuit Court on Nov. 20, arguing that Masullo’s defamation claims against her constitute a retaliatory “SLAPP suit” meant to “weaponize the justice system against his victim” and should be dismissed. The petition responds to Masullo’s claims, filed Aug. 19, that Bass’ previous accusations of sexual misconduct constitute a false narrative that destroyed Masullo’s career.
In his suit, the ex-teacher disputes certain details put forth by Bass and corroborated by the school’s investigation. It also concedes an intimacy between himself and Bass that included physical touch, specifically a kiss described by Masullo in court documents as a “quick, chaste peck on the cheek” in his former USN classroom. Masullo also seeks damages for reputational harm and emotional distress.
Now a sophomore in college, Bass continues to fight Masullo’s version of events.
“My goal has remained the same since day one: to tell the truth to protect my peers, my younger sisters, and all future students in the USN community," Bass said in a statement released Friday. "Masullo's lawsuit is unfounded. I stand by all that I have said and will do what it takes to shine light on the truth and uplift all those who were hurt by him during his teaching tenure.”
