Thomas
Thomas v. Los Angeles Times Communications, LLC
Opinion
Opinion
Collins, J.
ORDER RE: DEFENDANTS’ SPECIAL MOTION TO STRIKE PURSUANT TO CAL. CIV. PRO. CODE § 425.16; DEFENDANTS’ REQUEST FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS PURSUANT TO CAL. CIV. PRO. § 425.16(c).
This case arises from an article appearing in the Los Angeles Times after the publication of a biography about the life of Plaintiff Michel Thomas. Currently pending before the Court is Defendants’ Special Motion to Strike the Complaint pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 425.16. The Motion came on regularly for hearing before the Court on February 4, 2002. After consideration of the submissions of the parties and the case file, as well as the oral argument of counsel, the Court STRIKES Plaintiffs Complaint.
I. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Plaintiff Michel Thomas alleges that he is a concentration camp survivor, a member of the French Resistance, a World War II veteran, and an agent of the United States Army Counter Intelligence Corps (“CIC”) during World War II. Complaint ¶ 4. Thomas further alleges that, as part of his service with the CIC, he was present at the liberation of Dauchau, where he interrogated members of the crematorium staff; he personally obtained a letter of…