Fuhrman

This is an action for libel. Plaintiff Conway J. Fuhrman, a former city councilman of Seal Beach, sought damages by a second amended and supplemental complaint which alleged the loss of his good name and reputation. Defendants were Good Government Group of Seal Beach, College Park Homeowners Association of Seal Beach, and many named individual citizens of Seal Beach. Plaintiff also alleged a cause of action for conspiracy, and sought special damages of $10,000 minimum, general damages of $500,000 and $500,000 as exemplary damages.

Various defendants made motions for summary judgment. Three different motions were granted with judgments rendered and entered accordingly. Plaintiff filed two notices of appeal from these judgments, and, since the same issues were involved in both appeals, they have been consolidated for review here.

During the progression of this litigation, and while these appeals were pending, another similarly situated former city councilman, Hogard, seeking damages for the same claimed defamation, had successfully opposed defendants’ motions for summary judgment at the trial level. The Hogard defendants petitioned for a writ of mandate to compel the…