Fortney v. Stephan

This is an action for libel based on the publication 'by the defendant of a series of articles in the Holland Sentinel, a newspaper published and circulated in Ottawa county, Michigan. At the time of the publication the plaintiff was sheriff of Ottawa county. The defendant was ex-mayor of the city of Holland. The newspaper articles complained of were five in number and were written by the defendant and caused to be .published in the Holland Sentinel on August 25, 27, 28, 29, and 30, 1924. They charged the plaintiff with gross misconduct in office, in that for a money consideration he gave…