Obsidian Finance Group, LLC et al v. Cox
Filing
26
OPINION & ORDER: Plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment 9 is denied. See 16-page opinion and order attached. Signed on 7/7/2011 by Judge Marco A. Hernandez. (mr)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON
PORTLAND DIVISION
OBSIDIAN FINANCE GROUP, LLC, and
KEVIN D. PADRICK,
No. CV-11-57-HZ
Plaintiffs,
v.
OPINION & ORDER
CRYSTAL COX,
Defendant.
Steven M Wilker
David S. Aman
TONKON TORP LLP
1600 Pioneer Tower
888 S.W. Fifth Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97204
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
///
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1 - OPINION & ORDER
Crystal L. Cox
P.O. Box 1610
Eureka, Montana 59917
Defendant Pro Se
HERNANDEZ, District Judge:
Plaintiffs Obsidian Finance Group, LLC and Kevin Padrick move for partial summary
judgment in this defamation action against defendant Crystal Cox. I deny the motion.
BACKGROUND
Padrick is a senior principal with Obsidian Finance, an "advisory and investment firm that
specializes in unique and difficult business situations, including distressed enterprises and
distressed assets." Padrick Decl. at ¶¶ 1, 3. Whether advising clients, or acting for Obsidian's
own account, he is frequently involved in structuring complicated financial transactions. Id. at ¶
3.
Cox maintains and controls a website and blog found at www.obsidianfinancesucks.com.
Id. at ¶5. She has published statements on this website, and perhaps other websites such as
www.summit1031sucks.com, which criticize Obsidian Finance and Padrick. Id. at ¶¶ 5, 6. The
specific contents of the statements are discussed below.
According to Padrick, the statements are completely false. He asserts he has not engaged
in illegal or fraudulent activity, he has not stolen money from the government, he has not
engaged in corrupt behavior, he has not paid off the media or politicians, he has not committed
tax fraud, and he has not been charged with or convicted of any criminal conduct of any kind. Id.
at ¶ 6. Padrick asserts that Cox's statements have caused him and Obsidian to suffer damage to
their reputations. Id. at ¶ 7.
2 - OPINION & ORDER
STANDARDS
Summary judgment is appropriate if there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact
and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). The
moving party bears the initial responsibility of informing the court of the basis of its motion, and
identifying those portions of "'the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and
admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,' which it believes demonstrate the absence
of a genuine issue of material fact." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986) (quoting
Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)).
Once the moving party meets its initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine
issue of material fact, the burden then shifts to the nonmoving party to present "specific facts"
showing a "genuine issue for trial." Fed. Trade Comm'n v. Stefanchik, 559 F.3d 924, 927-28
(9th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation omitted). The nonmoving party must go beyond the pleadings
and designate facts showing an issue for trial. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322-23.
The substantive law governing a claim determines whether a fact is material. Suever v.
Connell, 579 F.3d 1047, 1056 (9th Cir. 2009). The court views inferences drawn from the facts
in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draws all reasonable inferences in that
party's favor. Long v. City & County of Honolulu, 511 F.3d 901, 905 (9th Cir. 2007).
If the factual context makes the nonmoving party's claim as to the existence of a material
issue of fact implausible, that party must come forward with more persuasive evidence to support
his claim than would otherwise be necessary. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp.,
475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986).
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3 - OPINION & ORDER
DISCUSSION
Plaintiffs move for summary judgment on the issue of liability. Plaintiffs argue that
defendant is liable for defamation as a matter of law because she made defamatory statements
about Obsidian or Padrick, these statements were published to third parties, and the statements
are actionable per se. Plaintiffs, however, fail to address the obvious First Amendment issues
raised by defendant's statements. For the reasons explained below, I conclude that as a matter of
law, defendant's statements are expressions of opinion protected by the First Amendment.
Accordingly, I deny plaintiffs' motion.
To prevail on a claim for defamation under Oregon law, plaintiffs must establish the
following elements: (1) the making of a defamatory statement; (2) publication of the defamatory
material; and (3) a resulting special harm, unless the statement is defamatory per se and therefore
gives rise to presumptive special harm. National Un. Fire Ins. Co. of Pitts. Pa. v. Starplex Corp.,
220 Or. App. 560, 584, 188 P.3d 332, 347 (2008). A defamatory statement is a false statement
that would subject another to “hatred, contempt or ridicule or tend to diminish the esteem,
respect, goodwill or confidence in which the other is held or to excite adverse, derogatory or
unpleasant feelings or opinions against the other.” Marleau v. Truck Ins. Exch., 333 Or. 82, 94,
37 P.3d 148, 155 (2001) (internal quotation, ellipsis, and brackets omitted); Reesman v. Highfill,
327 Or. 597, 603, 965 P.2d 1030, 1034 (1998) (plaintiff must show statements both false and
defamatory).
Statements which are expressions of opinion are protected by the First Amendment and
are not actionable. Partington v. Bugliosi, 56 F.3d 1147, 1153 n.10 (9th Cir. 1995) (opinions
which "do not imply facts capable of being proved true or false" are protected by the First
4 - OPINION & ORDER
Amendment) (internal quotation omitted); Reesman, 327 Or. at 605, 965 P.2d at 1035
(statements which are expressions of opinion are not actionable); see also Milkovich v. Lorain
Journal Co., 497 U.S. 1, 3 (1990) (statement cannot be deemed "false" unless the statement or its
connotations are sufficiently factual to be susceptible of being proved true or false). Statements
of opinion may be actionable if the recipients could reasonably have concluded that the statement
was based on undisclosed defamatory facts. Slover v. Or. St. Bd. of Clinical Social Workers,
144 Or. App. 565, 568, 927 P.2d 1098, 1100 (1996). Whether a statement is a statement of
opinion or one of fact is a question of law. Dworkin v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 867 F.2d 1188,
1193 (9th Cir. 1989); Slover, 144 Or. App. at 568, 927 P.2d at 1100.
To determine whether a statement implies an assertion of fact, the Ninth Circuit examines
the "totality of circumstances in which it was made," Underwager v. Channel 9 Austl., 69 F.3d
361, 366 (9th Cir. 1995), and relies on the following three-part test:
First, a court reviews the statement in its "broad context," which includes the
general tenor of the entire work, the subject of the statement, the setting, and the
format of the work. Next, the court turns to the "specific context" and figurative
or hyperbolic language used and the reasonable expectations of the audience in
that particular situation. Finally, the court inquires whether the statement itself is
sufficiently factual to be susceptible of being proved true or false.
Art of Living Found. v. Does 1-10, No. 10-CV-05022-LHK, 2011 WL 2441898, at *5 (N.D. Cal.
June 15, 2011) (citing Underwager, 69 F.3d at 366).
According to defendant, she is an "investigative blogger," and after the "Summit 1031
Bankruptcy," she began working on "Real Estate Industry Whistleblower Blogs." Deft's Stmt of
Facts, Decl.1 Apparently, Padrick was appointed the bankruptcy trustee in a bankruptcy case
1
Defendant's submission is an unsworn, twenty-page, somewhat rambling recitation of
information. Because it is not an affidavit and does not contain the requirements set forth in 28
5 - OPINION & ORDER
involving "Summit." Quite clearly, defendant believes that Padrick engaged in certain behavior,
described below, in connection with his duties.
In response to plaintiffs' motion, defendant does not deny that she maintains the blogs at
www.obsidianfinancesucks.com and www.summit1031sucks.com. She does not deny that she
posted disparaging statements on the blogs. She explains that she relies on "experts in the field,"
her own research, as well as opinion, commentary, and tips sent in by readers and site visitors for
information that she posts on the blogs.
In support of their motion, plaintiffs submit ten separate blog postings from
www.obsidianfinancesucks.com, which plaintiffs contend are defamatory statements regarding
Padrick and/or Obsidian Finance. The submitted postings were made on several dates over the
course of approximately two months from October 25, 2010 through December 5, 2010. Ex. 1 to
Padrick Decl.
At the top of each post, the following introductory information appears:
The Bankruptcy Court System is Broken and the Real Estate Consumer is Paying
the Price. No One Can Hold them Accountable but you. And so Far the
Consumer Does not Even know how is really getting their money. Knowledge is
Power Folks. Wake Up.. Email Your Bankruptcy Court Story to
Crystal@CrystalCox.com - and Expose the Supposed Highest Fiduciary
Responsibility of the US Bankruptcy Court System.
Id.
Below this, and separated by a single line, is what is best described as a banner-like
headline, which states, in larger font than the substance of the blog post: "Bankruptcy
U.S.C. § 1746 regarding unsworn statements, it is incapable of creating a disputed issue of fact
sufficient to defeat summary judgment. I recite to the Declaration only in an attempt to provide
background information to the dispute.
6 - OPINION & ORDER
Corruption - Trustee Corruption - Blog by Investigative Blogger Crystal L. Cox." Id.
Immediately below the bolded type appears: "Obsidian Finance, Kevin Padrick, David Aman,
Steven Hedberg, Ewan Rose, Bankruptcy Cartel? This Blog is about the Summit 1031
Bankruptcy and the Greed and Corruption within the US Bankruptcy Courts, that further
victimized the Real Estate Victims of the Summit 1031 Bankruptcy." Id.
As for the specific entries, in chronological order, they are, in pertinent part:
Monday, October 25, 2010
Umpqua Bank Corruption, Conflicts of Interest . . . What is Kevin Padricks
[sic] Real Role and Motive?
[Information regarding a settlement between Umpqua Bank and Summit 1031
Exchange, followed by a cite to an "abcnews" link for the full article]
Folks there is Lot's [sic] More to This Story . . . Got a Tip? Email me at
Crystal@Crystal Cox.com - also Kevin Padrick is VERY Corrupt..Got a Tip on
Kevin Padrick Corruption, Fraud, Tax Crimes, Solar Tax Credit Crimes . . .?
Ex. 1 to Padrick Decl. at p. 13.
Monday October 25, 2010
Kevin Padrick - Obsidian Finance is Corrupt
...
Coming Soon the Facts on Kevin Padrick Tax Fraud, Kevin Padrick Fraud against
the Government - time for a Whistleblower Lawsuit to EXPOSE all the Money
that Kevin Padrick has Stole [sic] from the US Government . . their [sic] is a 20%
min, bounty on this.
Coming SOON - a Whole Lot on the Truth about Kevin Padrick - Corrupt Oregon
Attorney - Obsidian Finance.
Id. at p. 12.
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7 - OPINION & ORDER
Monday, October 25, 2010
Kevin Padrick GUILTY of Tax Fraud?
Coming Soon..
Id. at p. 11
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
US Marshals Tracking Down Crookedest Lawyer Ever's Loot
YES Kevin Padrick this MEANS will [sic] Be Watching and YOU will BE
Indicted SOME TIME, someday and in some way. . and looks there is no time
limit on your kind of Corruption.. So don't worry we got back ..every dirty deal every corrupt Solar Tax - Every Tangle in sheets - every down and dirty, corrupt
act you do for the rest of your days and beyond..We will BE Watching..
May as Well Tell the Truth on the Money You took from the Summit Bankruptcy
and the illegally [sic] activity you Conspired to do in order to set up an Innocent
Whistleblower.. CUZ this Shit Storm coming at you is Just Getting Started..
[followed by article apparently published by the "Daily Business Review" on
November 9, 2010, in Miami regarding a former U.S. bankruptcy trustee there
who allegedly diverted money intended for victims of a financial fraud scheme
elsewhere].
Id. at pp. 8-13.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Hey Kevin Padrick - Just a Reminder I ain't going anywhere.. Regardless of
What you do to Summit..
My Investigative Blogging Team will Always Be ON YOUR ASS.
You are a Cruel, Evil, Discriminating Liar. And I intend to Expose every Dirty
deed you have ever or will ever participate in.. So don't be thinking I have give
[sic] up on EXPOSING you. You are a Corrupt Attorney, you Create Victims,
you take money from real estate consumers, you are abusive and controlling, you
pay off media, you pay of [sic] politicians and well.. I intend to prove all of that in
great detail over the next..DECADE...
Stay Tuned..
8 - OPINION & ORDER
Got a Tip on the Evil Kevin Padrick of Obsidian Finance..
Send it on over.. YOU know the drill by now..
Crystal@CrystalCox.com
Id. at p. 7.
Friday, December 3, 2010
the LIE will NEVER Stand as the Truth On My Watch!!!
My Summit 1031 Blogs are NOW Devoted to Reform in the 1031 Exchange
Industry, devoted to exposing corruption in the Bankruptcy Courts, exposing
Dept. of Justice Trustees, and Exposing Kevin Padrick Corrupt Oregon
Attorney and Obsidian Finance LLC and ALL their Corrupt Illegal Activity
EVER..
Stay Tuned .. for say a "Lifetime" and then some.. This Shit Storm is just getting
started. Every Illegal Act, Every Indiscretion and Flat Out Lie.. Cover Up. Back
Alley Deal and Sexapades will be EXPOSED on Kevin Padrick - Obsidian
Finance.. your illegal, immortal Activity RUINS lives. Accountability and
Transparency is Demanded..
Id. at p. 6.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Kevin Padrick - Whatcha Up to - Setting Me up" - "crystal cox investigated"
...
Hey Corrupt Portland Oregon Attorney Kevin Padrick YOU Have [portion
appears to be cut off] Activity in the Summit 1031 Bankruptcy. You will one day
be in [portion appears to be cut off] Prove your Illegal activity if it takes a decade.
. . . you WILL BE EXPOSED..
Kevin Padrick - Corrupt Oregon Attorney
Got a Tip?
Crystal@CrystalCox.com
Coming Soon.. Massive Online Media on the Truth about Corrupt Attorney Kevin
Padrick
Id. at p. 5
9 - OPINION & ORDER
Friday, December 3, 2010
Hey Obsidian Finance You SUCK and We Don't Care what Lies you Use to
Cover up your Over Charging Fraud..
...
Folks NEVER ever believe that Kevin Padrick and Obsidian Finance are NOT
Guilty. For ya Summit 1031 went Bankrupt, however they had a lot of money and
assets and Kevin Padrick Corrupt Bankruptcy Attorney took the money and
assets and charged fees that were way over the top. Kevin Padrick, Oregon
Attorney is Corrupt..
. . . Nor Do I give a Shit what any of you corrupt Obsidian Finance LLC
attorneys have to say on this.. you are Criminals and whatever the corrupt Kevin
Padrick, Oregon Attorney told you is a LIE..he is guilty of Fraud, Deceit on the
Government, Illegal Activity, Money Laundering, Defamation, Harassment
and more and I WILL PROVE IT ALL..Period..
. . . Obsidian Finance PAID off Judges, Refused Good Offers, Paid of [sic]
Trustees, made deal with the D.A and set up side deals to get in good with this
Solar Project.. so much corruption and back alley handshakes and Kevin Padrick
YOUR going to prison Next.. SO keep googling Crystal Cox Investigated and
trying to Set Me Up.. I have a large network that will continue to EXPOSE you
even if you find a way to illegally "investigate"me.. YOU ARE A
CRIMINAL..and you are an Cold Hearted Evil Asshole.
Id. at p. 1.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
How Bad Does Kevin Padrick Obsidian Finance Oregon want to Shut Up
Investigative Blogger Crystal L. Cox?
How Bad does Oregon Attorney Kevin Padrick want to hide his illegal activity?
How bad does Obsidian Finance Attorney Kevin Padrick want to Silence Truth
Teller - Investigative Blogger, Crystal L. Cox? Bad enough to hire a hit man to
kill me?
...
So is Kevin Padrick the Bossman in the Link Below? Did Oregon Attorney
Kevin Padrick hire a Hit Man to Kill me? Well Time Will Tell I Suppose.
10 - OPINION & ORDER
Id. at p. 3.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Kevin Padrick - Obsidian Finance Group Takes a LONG, Hard Look at the
Hit Man Post
...
I have only posted truth on Obsidian Finance LLC and the Corrupt Bankruptcy
Trustee Kevin Padrick. Why did Kevin Padrick or Obsidian Finance LLC
NEVER send me a Cease and Desist to Shut me up?
...
Kevin Padrick of Obsidian Finance LLC is a Criminal, he has broken many
laws in the last 2 years to do with the Summit 1031 case and regardless of the
guilt of the Summit 1031 principals, Kevin Padrick is a THUG and a Thief
hiding behind the Skirt tails of corrupt unmonitored bankruptcy court system and
protected by Corrupt Bend DA and Corrupt Bend Oregon Judges. And I will
Expose every detail of every law he broke, every secret hand shake and back alley
deal . . every solar credit fraud..every sale to a friend or cronie of real estate
consumer money and every indiscretion... if it takes me a decade.. and if the Hit
Man Follows through well No Worries... I have a large fan base over 2 years and
many "investigative bloggers" to now continue my life's work.
So if Kevin Padrick of Obsidian Finance LLC is the Bossman in the link of the
previous post, well then he wants me shut up pretty bad. However the Truth is,
me Dead will just fuel the truth I write about and will NOT shut down my blogs or
the Whistleblowing that will continue on Corrupt Portland Oregon Attorney
Kevin Padrick.
Id. at p. 4.
And finally, it is unclear on what date the following was posted:
Hey Corrupt Jackass Kevin Padrick, I have got a whole better at this over the
last year and I will expose your crimes, your solar credit fraud, fraud on the courts,
pay offs, set ups and back alley deals..
Id. at p. 2.
Considering first the broad context in which these statements are made, it is relevant that
11 - OPINION & ORDER
they are on an obviously critical blog (www.obsidianfinancesucks.com), which expressly
discloses its bias against bankruptcy courts, bankruptcy trustees, and what Cox considers the
broken and corrupt bankruptcy court system. In a similar case, the Northern District of
California noted that when statements are made on "obviously critical blogs, . . . readers are less
likely to view statements as assertions of fact rather than opinion." Art of Living, 2011 WL
2441898, at *7. The court cited a previous decision which explained that statements made on a
personal website, through internet discussion groups, and as part of heated debate are less likely
to be viewed as statements of fact. Id. (citing Nicosia v. DeRooy, 72 F. Supp. 2d 1093, 1101
(N.D. Cal. 1999)). Though the submitted statements appear to have generated only one posted
comment, Ex. 1 to Padrick Decl. at p. 7 (Nov. 19, 2010 comment regarding costs for hiring
bankruptcy lawyers), the fact that these are postings on a blog and that Cox repeatedly invites
submissions, indicates that she has created a forum for heated debate, even if the postings in this
record suggest that the debate has been one-sided.
As for the specific context, the court considers the "content of the allegedly defamatory
statements, which includes the extent of figurative and hyperbolic language and the reasonable
expectations of the readers." Nicosia, 72 F. Supp. 2d at 1102. Many of Cox's statements are
critical, including the following: "You are a Corrupt Attorney," "you take money from real estate
consumers," "Kevin Padrick is VERY Corrupt," "there is no time limit on your kind of
Corruption," "May as Well Tell the Truth on the Money You took from the Summit Bankruptcy
and the illegally [sic] activity you Conspired to do in order to set up an Innocent Whistleblower,"
"your illegal, immortal Activity RUINS lives," and "Kevin Padrick is a THUG and a Thief." Ex.
1 to Padrick Decl. When considered in isolation, several of the statements Cox makes appear to
12 - OPINION & ORDER
assert facts or to imply the existence of undisclosed defamatory facts. However, in context, the
statements fail to amount to such assertions or to imply defamatory facts. The statements are
replete with scattershot, hyperbolic accusations which are untethered to factual data regarding the
"Summit" bankruptcy and whatever role Padrick and Obsidian Finance actually played in the
bankruptcy.
As the Art of Living court explained:
Courts have extended First Amendment protection to such statements in
recognition of "the reality that exaggeration and non-literal commentary have
become an integral part of social discourse." By protecting speakers whose
statements cannot reasonably be interpreted as allegations of fact, courts "provide
assurance that public debate will not suffer for lack of imaginative expression or
the rhetorical hyperbole which has traditionally added much to the discourse of
our Nation."
Art of Living, 2011 WL 2441898, at *7 (quoting Milkovich, 497 U.S. at 20).
In Art of Living, the court recognized that several statements at issue there were
obviously critical of the plaintiff when they included words such as "embezzle, "fraud,"and
"abuse" and were accompanied by allegations that the plaintiff obtained money from participants
by using false and deceitful declarations, or diverted donations from their intended recipients. Id.
Nonetheless, when considered in the specific context in which they were made, the court
concluded that although the statements "reflect poorly on Art of Living," they "[did] not amount
to factual accusations of criminal activity[.]" Id. This was especially true when the statements
appeared on blogs that readers expected to be critical of the plaintiff. Id. The same result occurs
here.
Finally, the statements are not sufficiently factual to be susceptible of being proved true
or false. Cox repeatedly poses her statements as questions or asserts that she will prove her
13 - OPINION & ORDER
accusations. For example, she asserts that "a Whole Lot" of the "Truth" is "Coming Soon," that
she "intend[s] to Expose every Dirty Deed," that Padrick "WILL BE EXPOSED," that "YOU
[meaning Padrick] will BE Indicted SOME TIME, someday," and that she "WILL PROVE IT
ALL." Padrick Decl. at pp. 1-13. She tells the reader to "STAY TUNED," and she asks "Kevin
Padrick, Guilty of Tax Fraud?" Id. She also states that Padrick is a "cold hearted evil asshole"
and is a "Cruel, Evil Discriminating Liar." Ex. 1 to Padrick Decl.
Defendant's use of question marks and her references to proof that will allegedly occur in
the future negate any tendency for her statements to be understood as provable assertions of fact.
Her statements contain so little actual content that they do not assert, or imply, verifiable
assertions of fact. They are, instead, statements of exaggerated subjective belief such that they
cannot be proven true or false.
Considering all of the statements in the record under the totality of circumstances, the
statements at issue are not actionable assertions of fact, but are constitutionally protected
expressions of opinion. Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment on the liability of the
defamation claim is denied.
Defendant has not moved for summary judgment on the defamation claim and my
analysis suggests she is entitled to judgment in her favor on the claim. Under Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 56(f), a court may grant summary judgment to the non-moving party
"independent of the motion," or sua sponte, after giving notice and a reasonable time to respond.
Based on my conclusion that the statements made by defendant on her blog are constitutionally
protected expressions of opinion, I give notice to all parties that an order granting summary
judgment to defendant on the defamation claim will be entered on July 25, 2011, unless plaintiffs
14 - OPINION & ORDER
file a memorandum in opposition no later than July 22, 2011. If plaintiffs file such a
memorandum, defendant is given seventeen (17) days after the filing of plaintiffs' memorandum,
to file a response.
Finally, it appears that defendant has attempted to assert counterclaims against plaintiffs
in a document entitled "Counter Complaint" filed with her Answer.2 While the "Counter
Complaint" is a long, rambling assemblage of allegations and statements, I construe it liberally
and am able to discern the following claims: defamation and intentional interference with
economic relations. Deft's "Counter Complaint" (dkt #13) at pp. 6, 8-9.3 I invite plaintiffs to
move against these counterclaims. Because plaintiffs have filed an Answer as to the
counterclaims, I invite them to move for summary judgment. Defendant, of course, may choose
to voluntarily dismiss the counterclaims under Rule 41. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(c). If plaintiffs will
stipulate to the dismissal, defendant may dismiss the counterclaims under Rule 41(a)(1)(a)(ii).
2
Defendant has also attempted to name several other individuals as "counterdefendants."
However, only Padrick and Obsidian Finance, as current plaintiffs in the action, should be
considered counterdefendants. Fed. R. Civ. P. 13(a), (b) (referring to counterclaims as being
brought against an "opposing party"). Other individuals could perhaps be brought into the case
as third-party defendants under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 14, but no attempt to designate
them as such has been made and importantly, there apparently has been no service of process on
these non-parties. Thus, at this point, I consider the counterclaims to have been brought against
only Padrick and Obsidian Finance and I recognize no other parties presently in the case.
3
Defendant appears to raise a "counterclaim" under Oregon's Anti-SLAPP (Strategic
Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statute. Or. Rev. Stat. § (O.R.S.) 31.150. She raises the
issue in her "Counter Complaint," but also indicates that she files a motion to dispose of the
lawsuit against her. Counter Complaint at p. 9. The statute does not provide for a "claim" and
no such motion was ever filed. At this point, it is too late. Horton v. Western Protector Ins. Co.,
217 Or. App 443, 448-51, 176 F.3d 419, 422-24 (2008) (a special motion to strike under the
Anti-SLAPP statute in O.R.S. 31.150 must be filed as part of a defendant's first appearance in the
case). Here, defendant filed an Answer with counterclaims, and did not timely bring the
appropriate motion under O.R.S. 31.150. Thus, I do not consider any allegations based on
Oregon's Anti-SLAPP statute to be in the case.
15 - OPINION & ORDER
Or, she may seek an order of the Court under Rule 41(a)(2). Should she do so, no motion by
plaintiffs as to the counterclaims would be necessary.
CONCLUSION
Plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment [9] is denied.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 7th
day of
July
/s/ Marco A. Hernandez
Marco A. Hernandez
United States District Judge
16 - OPINION & ORDER
, 2011
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