Picariello v. Commonwealth

Opinion bt

Judge Craig,

Plaintiff Samuel Picariello filed this action in trespass in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Depart*254ment of Revenue, Milton Lopus, former Secretary of Revenue, the Department of Justice of Pennsylvania (Commonwealth defendants), The Guide newspaper and Pry Communications, alleging defamation, invasion of privacy and intentional inflicting of emotional distress.

Plaintiff’s complaint avers that, in January of 1978, a confidential letter containing false and libelous statements was sent by the Justice Department to Secretary…