Matta v. Burton

NARICK, Senior Judge.

The issue presented is whether Judith M. Burton (Burton), the School Board Director for the City of Duquesne, was acting within the scope of her authority when she publicly criticized Gary J. Matta (Matta), the Business Manager for the Duquesne School District. Because she was, we find that she is absolutely immune from liability for defamation and affirm the decision of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County (trial court) sustaining her preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer and dismissing Matta’s complaint.

The relevant facts are as follows. On…