Do I have a case for slander or defamation per se against my CEO?

About a year ago I befriended a coworker who made a sexual harassment complaint against the CEO of the company we work for. Although my friend recorded these advancements so I know them to factual, the charge was dropped. I remained friends with this person and one night a group of us went out after work. The next day an e mail was sent from our CEO stating that she was told that she was being discussed at this after work get together and there would be an investigation. Everyone who attended was called into her office besides my friend who made the sexual harassment allegations and myself. Although I was not the person discussing our CEO, I was later called to HR and informed that I was being demoted due to the elimination of my position which was clerical team lead. I was moved to a corner desk and questioned by numerous customers wanting to know what I had done or if I'd been bad but I tried to take my demotion as humble as possible. A few days ago I was sent another audio recording of my CEO in a meeting with a complete stranger telling lies about me. She stated that myself along with 3 other employees was "screwing" my friend who accused her of the harassment all at the same time and we couldn't get any work done from fighting with each other and coming to her office. These statements are completely false and I'm so embarrassed by them that I don't leave my desk other than to use the restroom. I live in a very small town and I'm afraid of who else my CEO might have told these lies to. Can I sue her for slander or defamation per se? The stranger in the meeting with her was actually a fellow church memeber of my friend and recorded the entire meeting.