Lefebvre

Jon M. Lefebvre filed a complaint alleging malicious prosecution and similar causes of action against his former spouse, Alice *700 Lefebvre, and an alleged civil coconspirator, Nancy Toothman. 1 Alice and Toothman filed a special motion to strike Jon’s complaint under the anti-SLAPP statute. (Code Civ. Proc., § 425.16.) 2 The trial court entered an order denying the anti-SLAPP motion, and Alice and Toothman then filed this appeal. We affirm the trial court’s order.

FACTS

Jon and Alice married in August 1995; they have two minor children. Over a period of years prior to August 2005, Alice began reading books on the subjects of divorce and money, including at least one book which included information about using false criminal accusations against a spouse in a divorce proceeding. During the same time period, Alice and Toothman conspired to bring false criminal accusations against Jon. On August 17, 2005, in furtherance of the conspiracy, Alice reported to a sheriff’s deputy that Jon had recently threatened to kill her and their children, and Toothman confirmed Alice’s criminal report to the deputy. ■

On August 26, 2005, authorities with the sheriff’s department, acting…