Hailstone
Hailstone v. Martinez
Opinion
Opinion
Levy, J.
Appellants, Sam Martinez, Frank Dickson, and Ron Rocha, challenge the trial court’s denial of their motion to strike the defamation complaint filed by respondent, lohn Hailstone, as a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16. The trial court concluded that the alleged defamatory statements did not concern an issue of public interbst and therefore the complaint did not arise from protected activity.
As discussed below, the trial court erred in denying the motion on that ground. The subject statements were protected under the anti-SLAPP law. Nevertheless, Hailstone established that his claim has at least minimal merit. Accordingly, the trial court’s order denying appellants’ motion to strike will be affirmed.
BACKGROUND
Hailstone was employed as a senior business agent by the Teamsters Local Union No. 948 (Local 948). Local 948 represents over 10,000 cannery workers.
The Teamsters Union is a three-tiered organization. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) is the parent union. The IBT issues charters for the formation of local unions organized by craft and/or geographic area. Each local union is…