Hammerbeck v. California Broadcasting
Plaintiff Richard K. Hammerbeck brought this defamation and negligence action against a news reporter, television anchor/news director, and television broadcast company (defendants) based on a news story they aired that identified him as one of the people arrested for insurance fraud at auto body shops investigated by the California Department of Insurance and the Butte and Shasta County District Attorneys Offices. He was subsequently acquitted of the charge. The trial court sustained defendants demurrer, without leave to amend, to the plaintiffs second amended complaint and granted defendants special motion to strike the complaint as a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16 (section 425.16). Judgment was entered in favor of defendants. Plaintiff appeals. Court affirm the judgment.
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