Stavros v. Marrese

This appeal arises from the trial court’s grant of defendant Ronald Marrese’s motion to dismiss. Plaintiff, Anthony Stavros, brought the underlying action for defamation, alleging that a letter written by defendant and sent to plaintiffs employer contained a wrongful and malicious accusation that plaintiff committed extortion in connection with the issuance of a construction permit. The trial court granted defendant’s motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2—619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2—619(a)(9) (West 1998)) (the Code), finding, as a matter of law, that defendant…