Aminpour v. Fulkerson CA4/1
Dan Fulkerson and Paul Batta appeal an order denying their motion under Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16 to strike claims brought against them by Ashkan “King” Aminpour and Larking, Inc. for conspiring with Aminpour’s former client and business partner, Lara D. Calhoun, to defraud Aminpour. Aminpour initially sued Calhoun after she threatened to report him to authorities if he did not pay her $450,000. After discovery in Aminpour’s case uncovered phone conversations between Calhoun and Fulkerson and Batta, both attorneys formerly employed by Aminpour, Aminpour successfully moved to amend the complaint to add conspiracy and other claims against Fulkerson and Batta. In response, Fulkerson and Batta filed an anti-SLAPP motion. The trial court denied the motion, finding the challenged claims did not arise from protected activity. As we shall explain, we agree with the trial court and affirm its order.
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