Goodman v. Performance Contractors, Inc.

MARK W. BENNETT, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ...1004

A. The Amended Complaint ...1004

B. The Motion To Dismiss ...1005

II. LEGAL ANALYSIS ...1006

A. Standards For A Rule 12(b)(6) Motion To Dismiss ...1006

B. Discussion ...1007

1. Materials properly before the court ...1007

2. Lack of a cognizable legal theory of "publication" ...1008

3. Insufficient pleading of other elements of "defamation" ...1010

III. CONCLUSION ...1011

Do a co-worker's intra-corporate statements about the plaintiff made only to their employer satisfy the "publication" element of defamation under Iowa…