Case ID: ad2d_278/html/0854-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Michael Muscarella, Appellant-Respondent, v Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Doing Business as Buffalo News, et al., Respondents-Appellants.
    [721 NYS2d 432]
   Order unanimously reversed on the law without costs, motion granted and complaint dismissed. Memorandum: We agree with defendants that Supreme Court erred in denying their motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint. Defendants made a fair and true report of the findings of a Department of Housing and Urban Development audit report, and thus the comments contained therein are privileged under Civil Rights Law § 74 (see, Holy Spirit Assn, for Unification of World Christianity v New York Times Co., 49 NY2d 63, 68). In view of our determination, we do not consider the contention of plaintiff that he is not a public official. We have reviewed plaintiffs remaining contentions and conclude that they lack merit. (Appeals from Order of Supreme Court, Erie County, Sedita, Jr., J. — Summary Judgment.) Present — Hayes, J. P., Hurlbutt, Scudder, Kehoe and Lawton, JJ.