Matalka v. Lagemann

Plaintiff-appellant, George A. Matalka, appeals an order of the trial court sustaining defendants-appellees’ motion to dismiss his lawsuit. Plaintiff’s complaint alleged that defendants, a weekly Gahanna newspaper and its editor, had libeled him by publishing editorials and cartoons.

Plaintiff was chairman of the committee seeking the recall of the Mayor of Gahanna, and it is apparent from the publications that the defendants were opposed to the recall effort. It is also apparent from the case file that those favoring recall had indicated to Gahan-na’s city council the willingness of the group…