Chaker

In this anti-SLAPP law 1 case, the trial court determined plaintiff’s complaint, which alleges a single defamation cause of action, arises from defendant’s exercise of her constitutional right of free speech and that plaintiff failed to establish a probability he would prevail on those claims. We agree with the trial court that plaintiff’s claims arise from the exercise of defendant’s right of free speech. We also agree that plaintiff failed to establish a probability of success on the merits of his defamation claim. Thus, the trial court did not err in granting defendant’s motion to strike plaintiff’s complaint.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The record 2 indicates plaintiff and appellant Darren D. Chaker had a brief romantic relationship with Nicole Mateo (Nicole), who resides in Texas. During the relationship, Nicole became pregnant and delivered Chaker’s child. The record also indicates that following the birth of the child, Chaker and Nicole engaged in a contentious paternity and child support dispute in the Texas courts.

*1142 In 2010 a series of derogatory statements about Chaker, and his forensics business, appeared on an Internet Web site where members of…