Haskins

James Dorse Haskins (James) and his wife, Margaret Haskins, (Margaret) sued James’ former wife, Esther Haskins (Esther), the San Diego County Department of Public Welfare (DPW), its dirfector, Homer Detrich, and the County of San Diego (collectively the County) for money damages on a variety of legal theories. James and Margaret (the Haskinses) say Esther—when the estranged wife of James—misused her position as an employee of the DPW to obtain confidential records of welfare recipient Margaret and caused a welfare fraud investigation to be initiated based upon her complaint that Margaret was living with an “unattached male,” to wit, James. The investigation resulted in “no formal charges being filed” against Margaret. The Haskinses assert this investigation caused them humiliation, suffering, public contempt, obloquy, ridicule and other damages to be proven if given their day in court.

The Pleadings

Counts one through four (inch) charge Esther with (1) invasion of privacy, (2) libel, (3) slander, and (4) intentional infliction of mental distress. Esther’s demurrer to these four counts was sustained with leave to amend. Since no appeal lies from this ruling, these latter…