Barreca v. Nickolas

STREIT, Justice.

While presiding at a public meeting, a Davenport alderman repeated an anonymous informant’s false allegation that illicit and nefarious activities — involving minors, thongs, and water — were afoot at a local teen dance club. The club and one of its owners sued for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The district court dismissed both claims on summary judgment.

We reverse the grant of summary judgment on the defamation claim because there is a genuine issue of material fact as to whether the alderman abused his qualified privilege. We affirm dismissal…