Fustolo v. Hollander

The defendant, Fredda Hollander, appeals from the denial of her special motion to dismiss under G. L. c. 231, § 59H (§ 59H), the “anti-SLAPP” statute, 1 claiming that the conduct for which she was sued — writing five newspaper articles that contained allegedly defamatory statements about the plaintiff, Steven Fustolo, and his properties located in the North End section of Boston — constitutes petitioning activity protected by the statute. We agree with the motion judge that the defendant did not exercise her “right of petition” within the meaning of § 59H, and affirm the denial of the special…