Defend v. Lascelles

This matter involves a permissive interlocutory appeal brought pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 308 (87 Ill. 2d 308). Plaintiffs contest the denial of their motion to dismiss count I of the defendants’ counterclaim sounding in defamation. That defamation claim, in turn, was brought based upon the allegations contained in count IV of the plaintiffs’ second amended complaint charging defendants with a violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) (18 U.S.C. sec. 1961 et seq. (1982)). The question certified for appeal to this court concerns whether pleadings alleging a…