Municipal Management Associates, Inc. v. Beauregard

Plaintiff, Municipal Management Associates, Inc. (“Municipal Management”), has brought a defamation action against Defendant, Ann Marie Beauregard, for statements she made to the press after a parking enforcement contract with the City of Marlborough (“the City”) was terminated. Defendant moves to dismiss Municipal Management’s claim pursuant to the “anti-SLAPP” statute, G.L.c. 231, §59H (1996 ed.), contending that her statements constituted an exercise of her right to petition government. For the reasons set forth below, defendant’s special motion to dismiss is DENIED.

BACKGROUND

In May 1990,…