Hickey v. Settlemier

This action for defamation involves statements allegedly made by defendant to the reporter and camera crew of a national television program, “20/20.” The trial court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment on the ground that a decision by a federal administrative law judge in an administrative proceeding preclusively established the truth of the statements allegedly made by defendant. The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded, holding that the agency decision was not preclusive. Hickey v. Settlemier, 116 Or App 436, 841 P2d 675 (1992). Our consideration of the case involves two…