Rubin v. Sterling Enterprises, Inc.

Defendants Sterling Enterprises, Inc. and Floryan Lohutko appeal from both a jury verdict awarding plaintiffs damages for defamation and a judgment in plaintiffs’ favor following a bench trial. We affirm.

On February 17,1986, the parties entered a lease agreement under which plaintiffs rented land for the purpose of constructing and operating a hydroelectric facility. In November 1991, defendants demanded an additional $40,791 in rent and reimbursements because plaintiffs had failed to: (1) clean up rock and other construction debris at the site that would cost defendants $10,791 to remove;…