Brooklyn Appellate Court finds non-defamation for statements made in litigation
The Appellate Division, 2nd Department ruled that comments made about one’s business partner during a contentious litigation cannot be deemed defamatory statements for the purpose of a civil suit.
Sam El Jamal and James Weil were business partners connected to a number of gas station franchises. A dispute involving money arose between them, which spawned litigation among the parties. As the suit proceeded, a series of email exchanges, initiated by Weil, painted El Jamal in a negative light.