What can I do?

If what he said was untrue, then you would have a defamation claim against him.  And because it effected your job, that is defamation per se, which means that damages are presumed and you don't have to necessarily show how you were monetarily injured.  The difficult part will be proving what he said, since it was not in writing.  You would need someone at the job to serve as a witness and you would have to prove it was him and not someone else. This answer is given in accordance with the laws of Virginia and may not be applicable in any other state.  It should not be construed as legal advice, as that would require a more thorough analysis of all of the facts involved in a specific case.  If you need further information or assistance, please feel free to contact my office for a consultation. Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Case results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case.