Legal Question in Discrimination Law in New York

It could be defamation, which comprises both libel (written defamation) and slander (verbal defamation). In order to make out a case for defamation, you'd have to be able to show that the defamatory statement was "published" (communicated) to a third party; that it was untrue; and that it depicts the plaintiff in a poor light as to a factual matter. It cannot be something that is mere opinion or a mere insult (i.e., "stupid" or "silly").