Tannous

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Plaintiffs Linda, Yousef, and Issa Tannous own a mobile home park in Ukiah, California.2 Defendant Rolland James Rickel is a resident of the park and produces a local television show. In July 2010, plaintiffs filed this action for defamation and related claims upon allegations that Rickel made false and malicious statements on his show.

1 All further section references are to the Code of Civil Procedure. 2 Linda and Yousef Tannous are a married couple. Issa is Yousef’s brother.

1 Allegedly, Rickel accused the plaintiffs, who are from Jordan, of being prejudiced against “White park residents,” “acting like terrorists,” sexually abusing residents, and illegally growing or using marijuana. Rickel claimed his statements were protected speech and filed a special motion to strike under the SLAPP statute. (§ 425.16.) The court denied the motion. Rickel appealed but the appeal was dismissed because he failed to provide an adequate record. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint reasserting the above defamatory statements and adding others. Plaintiffs alleged that Rickel made defamatory statements on his television show from May 2010 through October 2011, including…