Chafoulias v. Peterson

OPINION

G. BARRY ANDERSON, Judge.

Hotel owner Gus A. Chafoulias (appellant) brought a defamation action against attorney Lori Peterson (respondent) and the American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (ABC) (respondent) in response to Peterson’s televised statements alleging appellant’s knowledge of acts of sexual abuse and harassment perpetrated against his female employees by male guests at his hotel. The district court granted respondents summary judgment, reasoning that appellant was a limited-purpose public figure who could not prove by clear and convincing evidence that respondents had acted…