Meaux

I. BACKGROUND

In February 2013, Meaux, individually and doing business as The Portal Herbal Health Collective, sued Juaquin “Moe” Ramaundy Springfield and Briann Marie Diaz for defamation, fraudulent misrepresentation, interference with prospective economic 1 SLAPP refers to “strategic lawsuit against public participation.” (Equilon Enterprises, LLC v. Consumer Cause, Inc. (2002) 29 Cal.4th 53, 57 & fn. 1.) 2 All further undesignated statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure.

1 advantage, breach of fiduciary duty, slander and libel. He alleged that Springfield and Diaz “entered into a concerted action to bring false allegations against Meaux in order to take over [The Portal Herbal Health Collective],” inter alia by making false claims that Meaux had sexually harassed Diaz in a 2012 lawsuit against Meaux (apparently filed in the superior court of Santa Clara County). Springfield moved to strike all but one cause of action against him pursuant to section 425.16. The trial court granted the motion and ruled that Springfield was entitled to recover his reasonable attorney fees and costs pursuant to section 425.16, subdivision (c)(1). Those rulings are not…