Brough-Stevenson v. Community Emergency Medical Assocs.
Appellants, Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC), Clovis Community Medical Center (Clovis Community), Craig Castro, Craig Wagoner, Mason Mathews, R.N., and Gene Kallsen, M.D., challenge the trial court’s denial of their motion to strike the complaint filed by respondent, Gloria Brough-Stevenson, M.D., as a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP). (Code Civ. Proc.,[1] § 425.16.) Respondent’s causes of action are based on allegedly defamatory statements made by appellants regarding respondent’s performance as an emergency room physician. Appellants contend that the subject statements are entitled to protection under section 425.16 as acts in furtherance of their right of free speech because public health and accessibility of health care are issues of widespread public interest.
The trial court’s ruling was correct. The challenged statements concern a private internal grievance that is only tangentially related to an issue of widespread public interest. Accordingly, the order will be affirmed.
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