A state judge has thrown out a $45 million defamation suit by a developer against opponents of a controversial proposed day camp in Southampton, ruling that the suit constituted strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP).
“Plaintiffs have not come forward with facts supporting their claims that defendants knew the statements were false or that they made those statements with reckless disregard to whether the statements were true or false. In fact, plaintiffs have not come forward with any proof tending to establish that defendants were even responsible for making those statements let alone that defendants were aware of their falsity,” Supreme Court Justice John Jones Jr. (See Profile) in Suffolk County wrote in granting summary judgment to the defendants in Southampton Day Camp Realty v. Gormon, 32983-2011.
