Tocco v. Piersante

The plaintiff, Jack W. Tocco, brought suit in Wayne County Circuit Court against defendant Vincent W. Piersante, alleging that he had been intentionally and maliciously defamed by the defendant on various occasions and requesting general and exemplary damages.

Defendant filed a motion asking alternatively for accelerated or summary judgment. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendant and the plaintiff appeals by right.

The trial court dismissed the plaintiffs suit on what were said to be independent and alternate grounds: 1) governmental immunity and 2) absolute immunity…