Commercial Landlord-Tenant—Former Council Member and Neighborhood Attorney Tenant Displayed A Sign Calling Landlord “Greedy”—Defamation Suit Dismissed

This decision involved a defamation case relating to commercial space rented by the defendant (tenant) from the plaintiff (landlord). Following a dispute involving the tenant’s alleged illegal subleasing of the premises, the parties engaged in litigation in the Civil Court. When the litigation was still pending, the tenant put up two signs in his storefront windows which stated:

After more than 25 years serving our neighborhood at this location (First as a City Council Member, then for years as a neighborhood based attorney) I am being forced to move from this building due to the greed of the new landlord. I will be relocating to a new office across the street at 161 East 4th Street.