Hotze v. Miller

OPINION

BRIAN HOYLE, Justice.

Steven F. Hotze, M.D., appeals from the denial of his summary judgment motions in this defamation case brought against him by Keith E. Miller, M.D. In three issues, Hotze asserts there is no evidence of actual malice or that any objectively verifiable statement published by Hotze about Miller was false, there is no fact question on malice, and the civil conspiracy claim fails as a matter of law. Because there is no evidence of actual malice, we reverse and render.

BACKGROUND

Miller is a physician and, from 2003 until 2007, he served on the Texas Medical Board (TMB).…