Martinelli

Marie Rosa Martinelli brought this action against International House USA and its executive director for libel, slander, emotional distress and invasion of privacy, alleging she was defamed by defendants’ accusations that she had asked defendants to ignore federal immigration law and not report Martinelli’s niece to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) for violation of her student visa. Martinelli also alleged that defendants’ employees made slanderous statements about her to her niece.

The trial court sustained defendants’ demurrers to the causes of action for infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy without leave to amend and granted defendants’ motion for summary adjudication as to the libel and slander causes of action.

Martinelli filed a timely appeal from the final judgment. We affirm.

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW

The following facts are undisputed.

Marie Martinelli is a lawyer licensed to practice in California. Her family also operates an insurance agency. Martinelli’s niece, Luisa Fossati, is an Italian national who came to the United States in March 2005 on a student visa. Martinelli enrolled Fossati in an…