Would Mariana be liable for defamation for this statement about Mayor Smith?

Response $1$ of $3$: No$,$ even if Mariana made a false statement that's likely to hurt Mayor Smith's reputation, she wouldn't be liable because she didn't know that the information was false $($not malicious$)$ and checked her facts $($not reckless$).$No$,$ even if Mariana made a false statement that's likely to hurt Mayor Smith's reputation, she wouldn't be liable because she didn't know that the information was false $($not malicious$)$ and checked her facts $($not reckless$).$Response $2$ of $3$: Yes, if Mariana made a false statement that's likely to hurt Mayor Smith's reputation, she would be liable because she acted maliciously in publishing information she knew to be false.Yes, if Mariana made a false statement that's likely to hurt Mayor Smith's reputation, she would be liable because she acted maliciously in publishing information she knew to be false.Response $3$ of $3$: Yes, if Mariana made a false statement that's likely to hurt Mayor Smith's reputation, she would be liable because she acted recklessly in publishing information she didn't personally verify with an independent source.Yes, if Mariana made a false statement that's likely to hurt Mayor Smith's reputation, she would be liable because she acted recklessly