Cress

BACKGROUND

According to the trial court’s order granting Cress’s anti-SLAPP motion,2 Cress had a dispute with Ynclino related to Cress’s investment in

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure.

2 We are significantly hampered in our attempt to summarize the facts

and procedural history of this matter because the appellate record provided

1 Ynclino’s business venture in 2021; Cress alleged he relied on Ynclino’s false representations in deciding to invest. Cress alleged he reached a settlement with Ynclino and Ynclino’s company Spear Investment Group, LLC, but no payments were made under the agreement. Consequently, on March 14, 2024, “Cress filed an action bringing claims for breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, securities fraud, and control person liability.” In response, Ynclino filed “a cross-complaint, alleging that Cress improperly disclosed details about his partnership with Spear and Ynclino, in violation of a confidentiality agreement.” In October 2024, Cress filed an anti-SLAPP motion to strike Ynclino’s cross-complaint.3 According to Cress, “the gravamen of each of Ynclino’s causes of action is that Plaintiff [Cress]…