[Cite as A.W. v. Kircher , 2024

- Ohio

- 2115.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

WARREN COUNTY

A .W.

,

Appell ant

,

- vs

-

KONRAD KIRCHER, et al.

,

Appell ee s

. :

:

:

:

:

: CASE NO. CA 202 3

- 11

- 108

O P I N I O N

6/3/2024

CIVIL APPEAL FROM LEBANON MUNICIPAL COURT

Case No. CV F

- 2200052

A .W.

, pro se

.

Kircher Law, LLC, and Konrad K ircher, for appellee, Konrad Kircher

.

Rittgers, Rittgers & Naka jima, and Charles M. Rittgers, for appellee, Charles M. Rittgers

.

Perkinson Legal, and Ryan J. McGraw, for appellee, Ryan J. McGraw

.

M

. POWELL , J.

{¶ 1} Appellant

, A.W., appeals a decision of the Lebanon Municipal Court

dismissing her defamation claim against appellees, attorneys Konrad Kircher, Ryan

McGraw, and Charles Rittgers , and granting summary judgment in favor of Kircher on herWarren CA2 0 2 3

- 11

- 108

- 2

- R.C. 2307.60 claim. 1

{¶ 2} A ppellant was sued for defamation by Reproductive Gynecology, Inc.

( " RGI " ) in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas (the "Franklin County Court")

.

RGI ' s defamation claim was based upon negative posts made by appellant on RGI ' s

social media pages. Appellant hired Kircher to defend the RGI lawsuit against her. At

the time, Kircher was a partner at the Rittgers & Rittgers law firm (the "law firm")

. During

his representation of appellant

, Kircher suspected that she ha d not been honest with him

concerning RGI ' s claim against her. Kircher confronted appellant with his concerns and

then withdrew from representing her in the RGI litigation. Thereafter, using the name "A,"

appellant posted negative reviews of Kircher on his AVVO page and/or the law firm's

social media pages.

{¶ 3} On February 2, 2022, appellant

, acting pro se, filed a complaint against

Kircher, alleging legal malpractice and false light. The complaint was based upon

Kircher's published responses to appellant's negative review posted on Kircher's AVVO

page in February 2021

. Appellant remained pro se throughout the litigation. On February

28, 2022, Kircher answered appellant's complaint and filed several counterclaims.

Attached to his answer was a Nov ember 3, 2021 decision from the Franklin County Court

that addressed appellant's violation of a previous order prohibiting her from posting

reviews about RGI on social media. Specifically, t he court found that appellant had

authored and caused violative posts to remain posted in public view in violation of the

order, and that she had also posted new violative posts. Consequently, the Franklin

County C ourt found appellant in civil contempt of its order. The court permitted appellant

1 . This appeal involves two separate cases filed in the municipal court by appellant, Case No. 22 00254

and Case No. 2200052. The cases were consolidated by the municipal court in September 2022. For

purposes of readability , this court will treat the two cases i n this opinion's statements of facts and procedural

history as if they were one

. The parties filed numerous pleadings throughout the litigation . This opinion

only re ferences the pleadings and claims that are relevant to this appeal.Warren CA2 0 2 3

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- "to purge the $250 fine associated with this finding of civil contempt by filing a [sworn]

affidavit verifying to this Court * * * that all violative posts, new violative posts and any

other posts in violation of the Order have been removed." The Franklin County Court

decision made no finding whether appellant's posts about RGI were " fake. "

{¶ 4} On March 14, 2022, in response to appellant's negative review of Kircher

on social media

, the law firm posted on Google that

This person was found in contempt of court in Franklin

County, Common Pleas Court, Case No. 21 CV 2008, for

continuing to post fake reviews against someone nonrelated

to this firm and Konrad [Kircher]

. It is public record. Given

her dishonesty, Konrad terminated his relationship [sic] result

she is now posting fake reviews against him here.

{¶ 5} On June 3, 2022, appellant filed a separate complaint against Kircher and

the law firm

. Appellant later dismissed the law firm as a defendant and named Rittgers

and McGraw

, two attorneys employed by the law firm, as defendants.

{¶ 6} On October 3, 2022, appellant filed an amended complaint against Kircher,

Rittgers, and McGraw, alleging defamation and civil conspiracy against all three attorneys

based upon the March 14, 2022 Google post, and a n R.C. 2307.60 claim against Kircher

based upon emails Kircher sent appellant i n June and September 2022.

{¶ 7} Appellant's defamation claim allege d that (1) the March 14

, 2022 Google

post falsely stated she had been f ound in contempt for " continuing to post fake reviews "

when, in fact, the Franklin County Court 's November 3, 2021 decision never stated her

posts a bout RGI were "fake"; (2) Kircher testified in a deposition in May 2022 that McGraw

and Rittgers drafted and posted the Google post and that he approved the post; and (3)

Kircher admitted in the deposition that the Franklin County Court decision never stated

that appellant's reviews of RGI were fake.

{¶ 8} Appellant's R.C. 2307.60 claim allege d that Kircher damaged her byWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- 4

- committing a criminal act, namely telecommunication s harassment under R.C. 2917.21

.

A ppellant alleged that Kircher sent the emails after she "merely served Kircher with legal

filings

, " d escribed how the emails were harassing in nature

, and alleged that she suffered

economic damages (counseling fees) and "noneconomic damages such as mental

anguish, mental distress, loss of ability to enjoy life, etc." as a result of the March 14, 2022

Google post and Kircher's harassing emails

. A ttached to appellant's amended complaint

were the emails Kircher sent her in J une and September 2022. The emails were as

follows

.

{¶ 9} On June 14, 2022, Kircher emailed appellant, stat ing : "When the INS learns

that you have court orders against you in two different counties for violating American

laws and refusing to abide by orders of American courts, I doubt you will ever be able to

come back. It has nothing to do with trial, it has everything to do with protecting my fellow

citizens from your illegal conduct." A ppellant replied,

Where are the court orders against me in two different

counties? You are lying and faking the information again.

What is worse is that you even fabricate nonexistent court

orders this time! It is highly unethical that you fake

nonexistent court orders! Your misconducts are illegal. You

are again exposing yourself as fraud through your emails.

Btw, just a few weeks ago, I became engaged to an American

citizen and can apply for American citizenship if I want. Even

if I don't apply for American citizenship through marriage, I can

still apply for it through my doctoral degree and scientific

works if I wish to do so. You're welcomed to report me to any

immigration authority with your fraudulent allegations and

expose yourself as a fraud. My immigration status will not be

affected by your false report at all.

{¶ 10} In the early morning hours of June 15, 2022, Kircher emailed appellant,

The Franklin County finding that you are in contempt is the

first order. The forthcoming order from Lebanon Municipal

Court, which you will certainly violate, will be the second order.

They will follow you everywhere and are permanently on the

internet, unlike your fraudulent posts.Warren CA2 0 2 3

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- 5

- If your life is so good, why do you seem so miserable? You

keep engaging in hopeless efforts to harm Craig Park [ an

employee of RGI ], RGI and me when you could be channeling

that energy to improving your future. I doubt your fiancé

knows all the horrible things you have done and keep doing.

{¶ 11} Later that morning, Kircher emailed appellant, "You are really nuts.

Fortunately, you have to prove your nonsense in court. I'll deal with you there rather than

with your irrational ramblings." On Sept ember 26, 2022

, K ircher emailed appellant, "We

will talk later. I realize I may not be hearing from you for awhile as you may be in

alternative housing without access to the internet."

{¶ 12} On October 14, 2022, Kircher moved for summary judgment

. Kircher did

not attach an affidavit or evidentiary materials to his motion. Regarding appellant's R.C.

2307.60 claim, Kircher generally argued that given the context of this case, which involved

multiple filings by the parties and at one point, appellant falsely accusing Kircher of past

domestic violence, tax fraud, and tax evasion, no reasonable jury could find, beyond a

reasonable doubt, that Kircher committed telecommunications harassment. Kircher

further argued that (1) he has never been convicted of a crime and appellant never

reported the alleged telecommunications harassment, (2) appellant did not specify which

elements of R.C. 2917.21 Kircher allegedly committed, (3) appellant was an equal

participant in the alleged harassment in light of her accusations that Kircher was "lying,"

"faking," and committing "highly unethical actions

, " and (4) the "selectively edited emails"

attached to appellant's amended complaint plainly related to judicial proceedings and

therefore, appellant's claim was barred by the litigation privilege

.

{¶ 13} In her memorandum in opposition to the summary judgment motion,

appellant argued that (1) R.C. 2307.60 does not require an underlying criminal conviction

and cite d Buddenberg v. Weisdack

, 161 Ohio St.3d 160, 2020

- Ohio

- 3832, in support; (2)Warren CA2 0 2 3

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- 108

- 6

- she was not required to specify which elements Kircher committed in violation of R.C.

2917.21 because Ohio is a notice

- pleading state; and (3) Kircher's harassing emails ha ve

caused her mental distress

, were sent to her via private email

, and were not made during

judicial proceedings ; appellant cited Reister v. Gardner

, 164 Ohio St.3d 546, 2020

- Ohio

5484, in support

.

{¶ 14} On October 26, 2022, McGraw and Rittgers separately moved to dismiss

appellant's amended complaint pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6). Both attorneys argued that

appellant failed to state a defamation claim because the March 14, 2022 Google post was

a response to a poster simply identified as "A" and did not identify appellant by name or

other identifying characteristics

. A ppellant filed a memorandum opposing the Civ.R.

12(B)(6) motions to dismiss. On February 9, 2023

, the magistrate granted summary

judgment to Kircher regarding appellant's R.C. 2307.60 claim

. The magistrate also

granted McGraw's and Rittgers' Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motions to dismiss appellant's defamation

claims. Appellant filed objections to the magistrate's February 9, 2023 decision.

{¶ 15} On February 21, 2023, Kircher moved to dismiss appellant's defamation

claim pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6). The magistrate granted Kircher's Civ.R. 12(B)(6)

motion to dismiss on April 23, 2023. Appellant filed objections to the magistrate's

decision.

{¶ 16} On September 5, 2023, the municipal court overruled both sets of objections

and adopted the magistrate's February 9, 2023 and April 28, 2023 decisions. Upon

"conduct[ing] an independent review," the municipal court found "that the Magistrate

properly determined factual issues and further appropriately applied the law."

{¶ 17} Ap p ellant n ow appeals, pro se, raising three assignments of error. The first

and second assignments of error will be addressed together.

{¶ 18} Assignment of Error No. 1:Warren CA2 0 2 3

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- {¶ 19} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY GRANTING APPELLEES RITTGERS

AND MCGRAW'S MOTION TO DISMISS APPELLANT'S DEFAMATION CLAIM.

{¶ 20} Assignment of Error No. 2 :

{¶ 21} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY GRANTING APPELLEE KIRCHER'S

MOTION TO DISMISS APPELLANT'S DEFAMATION CLAIM.

{¶ 22} Appellant challenges the municipal court's Civ.R. 12(B)(6) dismissal of her

defamation claim s against K i rcher, McGraw, and Rittgers

. The defamation claims were

based upon the March 14, 2022 Google post. Appellant argues that the municipal court

erred by failing to accept all allegations in her amended complaint as true as required

under Civ.R. 12(B)(6).

{¶ 23} A Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which

relief can be granted tests the sufficiency of the complaint. Buckner v. Bank of New York

,

12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2013

- 07

- 053, 2014

- Ohio

- 568, ¶ 13, citing State ex rel. Hanson

v. Guernsey Cty. Bd. of Commrs ., 65 Ohio St.3d 545, 548, 1992

- Ohio

- 73. "A motion

made pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6) only determines whether the pleader's allegations set

forth an actionable claim." Ward v. Graue , 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2011

- 04

- 032,

2012

- Ohio

- 760, ¶ 9

. "[W]hen a party files a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim,

all the factual allegations of the complaint must be taken as true and all reasonable

inferences must be drawn in favor of the nonmoving party." Byrd v. Faber , 57 Ohio St.3d

56, 60 (1991). For a complaint to be dismissed under Civ.R. 12(B)(6) for failure to state

a claim, it must appear beyond a reasonable doubt from the complaint that the plaintiff

can prove no set of facts entitling him or her to recovery. LeRoy v. Allen, Yurasek &

Merklin , 114 Ohio St.3d 323, 2007

- Ohio

- 3608, ¶ 14.

{¶ 24} The trial court may look only to the complaint to determine whether the

allegations are legally sufficient to state a claim. Ward at ¶ 10. "A court may not use theWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- 8

- motion to summarily review the merits of the cause of action." Home Builders Assn. of

Dayton & Miami Valley v. Lebanon , 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2003

- 12

- 115, 2004

- Ohio

4526, ¶ 8. " ' [A]s long as there is a set of facts, consistent with the plaintiff's complaint,

which would allow the plaintiff to recover, the court may not grant a defendant's motion to

dismiss. ' " Conaway v. Mt. Orab , 12th Dist. Brown No. CA2021

- 04

- 005, 2021

- Ohio

- 4041,

¶ 13 , quoting York v. Ohio State H igh w a y Patrol , 60 Ohio St.3d 143, 145 (1991). An

appellate court reviews a trial court's decision to grant a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss

de novo. Perrysburg Twp. v. Rossford , 103 Ohio St.3d 79, 2004

- Ohio

- 4362, ¶ 5.

{¶ 25} Appellant's amended complaint alleged that Kircher, McGraw, and Rittgers

published the March 14, 2022 Google post, that the post falsely stated she had been

found in contempt by the Franklin County Court for " continuing to post fake reviews " when

"'nowhere' in the judgment from Franklin County ever stated that [her] post was 'fake '

, "

and that as a result of the Google post, appellant suffered economic damages such as

counseling fees

.

{¶ 26} The municipal court granted McGraw's and Rittgers' Civ.R. 12(B)(6)

motions to dismiss appellant's defamation claims as follows:

In presuming all facts contained in [appellant's] claim for

defamation are true, and making all reasonable inferences in

favor of [appellant] , this Court cannot see how [she] can prove

any set of facts warranting recovery for defamation against

McGraw and Rittgers. Even if McGraw and Rittgers made the

post, as a matter of law the post does [not] rise to the level of

defamation.

First, the first sentence is true, as [appellant] was found in

contempt by the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Second, the second sentence contains the true statement that

Kircher terminated the representation, and also contains an

opinion that Kircher believes the poster's comments are fake.

If th e statements in the post are true or consist of McGraw or

Rittgers' opinions, then claims for defamation cannot stand.

The only statement that may be false is the last line regarding

fake reviews. However, this Court cannot see how this lineWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- could cause [appellant] any damages under the theory of

defamation per se or per quod.

{¶ 27} The municipal court granted Kircher's Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss

appellant's defamation claim as follows:

The Google post does not rise to the level of defamation.

First, the first sentence is true, as [appellant] was found in

contempt by the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

Second, the second sentence contains the true statement that

Kircher terminated the representation, and also contains an

opinion that Kircher believes the poster's comments are fake.

Furthe r, this Court does not agree that the three

- sentence

response has proximately caused [appellant] any damages

despite her pleading such damages. Even presuming all

factual allegations of [appellant's ] complaint as true and all

reasonable inferences in favo r of [appellant] , this Court cannot

find any set of facts whereby [appellant] can sustain a claim

against Kircher for defamation.

{¶ 28} We find that the municipal court failed to properly construe all allegations in

appellant's amended complaint as true when it granted Kircher 's , McGraw 's , and Rittgers '

Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion s to dismiss appellant's defamation claims. The municipal court

failed to confine its consideration of the adequacy of appellant's claims to her complaint.

Rather, the court improperly found that certain aspects of the March 14, 2022 Google

post were true (i.e., that appellant ha d been found in contempt in Franklin County and

that Kircher had terminated his representation of appellant)

, even though the truth of

those statements may not be discerned by reference to appellant's complaint

.

{¶ 29} The municipal court also failed to presume that all factual allegations of

appellant's complaint were true and m ake all reasonable inferences in appellant's favor.

The municipal court rejected appellant's c laim of special damages (i.e., mental anguish,

emotional and mental distress, counselling fees, etc.) because it " does not agree that the

three

- sentence response has proximately ca u sed [appellant] any damages despite her

pleading such damages. " The municipal court also found that the portion of the MarchWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- 14, 2022 Google post concerning appellant " continuing to make ' fake ' posts " was non

actionable " opinion ."

{¶ 30} The trial court also completely failed to consider the gist of appellant's

defamation claim that the statement in the March 14, 2022 Google post that she was

found in contempt for posting "fake" reviews was false as the Franklin County Court had

not found that the reviews posted by appellant were " fake ." In fact, instead of construing

all allegations in the amended complaint as true, t he municipal court simply repeated the

attorneys' partial assertion that appellant had been found in contempt by the Franklin

County Court

.

{¶ 31} In light of the foregoing, the municipal court erred in dismissing appellant's

defamation claims against Kircher, McGraw, and Rittgers pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6).

The municipal court's September 5, 2023 judgment entry granting the Civ.R. 12(B)(6)

motions to dismiss of Kircher, McGraw, and Rittgers is reversed and the cause is

remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

{¶ 32} Appellant's first and second assignments of error are sustained.

{¶ 33} Assignment of Error No. 3 :

{¶ 34} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY GRANTING APPELLEE KIRCHER'S

MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON APPELLANT'S OHIO R.C. 2307.60 CLAIM.

{¶ 35} Appellant argues that the municipal court erred by granting summary

judgment to Kircher on her R.C. 2307.60 claim which was based upon emails Kircher sent

her in June and September 2022. Appellant asserts t here is a genuine issue of material

fact whether these emails were telecommunication s harassment because (1) Kircher's

motion for summary judgment did not state what Kircher's purpose was in sending the

emails, (2) rather, Kircher simply argued that appellant was unable to prove he committed

telecommunication s harassment, and (3) the municipal court improperly opined that theWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- emails did not harass, abuse, or intimidate appellant.

{¶ 36} An appellate court reviews a trial court's decision on a motion for summary

judgment de novo, independently, and without deference to the decision of the trial court.

Murray v. Dunn , 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2023

- 10

- 084, 2024

- Ohio

- 1639, ¶ 15

.

{¶ 37} The principal purpose of summary judgment is to allow a trial court to move

beyond the pleadings and analyze the evidence to determine if a need for a trial exists.

Harless v. Willis Day Warehousing Co.

, 54 Ohio St.2d 64, 66 (1978). Under Civ.R. 56(C),

summary judgment is proper when (1) there are no genuine issues of material fact to be

litigated; (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; and (3) when all

evidence is construed most strongly in favor of the nonmoving party, reasonable minds

can come to only one conclusion, and that conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving party.

Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club, Inc.

, 82 Ohio St.3d 367, 369

- 370, 1998

- Ohio

- 389.

{¶ 38} The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of

informing the court of the basis for the motion

, and identifying those portions of the record

that demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact on the essential

element s of the nonmoving party's claims. Dresher v. Burt

, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 29 3

, 1996

-

Ohio

- 107. The moving party cannot discharge its initial burden under Civ.R. 56 simply by

making a conclusory assertion that the nonmoving party has no evidence to prove its

case. Id. Rather, the moving party must be able to specifically point to some evidence

of the type listed in Civ.R. 56(C) which affirmatively demonstrates that the nonmoving

party has no evidence to support the nonmoving party's claims. Id. The evidentiary

materials listed in Civ.R. 56(C) consist of "the pleadings, depositions, answers to

interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written

stipulations of fact, if any." "These evidentiary materials must show that there is no

genuine issue as to any material fact, and that the moving party is entitled to judgment asWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- a matter of law." Id. at 293.

{¶ 39} If the moving party fails to satisfy its initial burden, the motion for summary

judgment must be denied. Id. However, if the moving party satisfie s its initial burden, the

nonmoving party then has a reciprocal burden outlined in Civ.R. 56(E) to set forth specific

facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial and, if the nonmovant does not so

respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the nonmoving

party. Id.

{¶ 40} Appellant's amended complaint alleged that Kircher was liable for civil

damages under R.C. 2307.60 for harming her by committing a criminal act, namely for

telecommunication s harassment in violation of R.C. 2917.21. The complaint (1) alleged

that after appellant " merely served Kircher with legal filings ," Kircher sent her several

harassing and threatening emails in June and September 2022

, (2) described how the

emails were harassing in nature ( by faking nonexistent court orders such as an injunction

from the Lebanon Municipal Court when municipal courts lack authority to issue

injunctions; by malicious ly attack ing appellant's Taiwanese nationality and her American

fiancé; by stating appellant would soon be in an alternative house with no internet when

such ha s never happened )

, and (3) claimed that as a result of the se emails, appellant

suffered economic damages (counseling fees) and "noneconomic damages such as

mental anguish, mental distress, loss of ability to enjoy life, etc."

{¶ 41} The municipal court granted summary judgment to Kircher on appellant's

R.C. 2307.60 claim as follows:

Kircher's emails to [appellant] contain statements regarding

[her] conduct in violating court orders, her mental status, and

her future housing. While Kircher's comments may have been

rude to [appellant], this Court does not find that Kircher's

comments rose to the level of a criminal violation of [R.C.]

2917.21. The statements do not contain any threats that

harass, intimidate, or abuse [appellant]. Furthermore

,Warren CA2 0 2 3

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- [appellant] refutes several of Kircher's comments in a

response email and invites further Kircher responses. There

are no genuine issues of material fact and this Court finds that

Kircher is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

{¶ 42} R.C. 2307.6 0(A)(1) provides that

Anyone injured in person or property by a criminal act has,

and may recover full damages in, a civil action unless

specifically excepted by law, may recover the costs of

maintaining the civil action and attorney's fees if authorized by

any provision of the Rules of Civil Procedure or another

section of the Revised Code or under the common law of this

state, and may recover punitive or exemplary damages if

authorized by section 2315.21 or another section of the

Revised Code.

{¶ 43} The statute "independently authorizes a civil action for damages caused by

criminal acts." Jacobson v. Kaforey

, 149 Ohio St.3d 398, 2016

- Ohio

- 8434, ¶ 6. It does

not require proof of an underlying criminal conviction

. Buddenberg

, 2020

- Ohio

- 3832 at ¶

6

.

{¶ 44} The municipal court reviewed appellant's telecommunication s harassment

allegation under R.C. 2917.21(A)(1), which provides

, "No person shall knowingly make

or cause to be made a telecommunication * * * to another, if the caller [m] akes the

telecommunication with purpose to harass, intimidate, or abuse any person at the

premises to which the telecommunication is made, whether or not actual communication

takes place between the caller and a recipient ." R.C. 2917.21(B)(1) provides that "[n]o

person shall make or cause to be made a telecommunication, or permit a

telecommunication to be made from a telecommunications device under the person's

control, with purpose to abuse, threaten, or harass another person."

{¶ 45} Facts and circumstances surrounding the communication may establish a

defendant's purpose or intent to threaten, harass, or abuse

. In re C.W.

, 1st Dist. Hamilton

Nos. C

- 180677 and C

- 180690, 2019

- Ohio

- 5262, ¶ 14. R.C. 2917.21 does not defineWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- 14

- "abuse," "threaten," or "harass." However, the First District Court of Appeals has defined

" h arassment" as "[w]ords, conduct, or action ([usually] repeated or persistent) that, being

directed at a specific person, annoys, alarms, or causes substantial emotional distress in

the person and serves no legitimate purpose "; " t hreaten" as "an expression of an intention

to inflict evil, injury, or damage on another usu[ally] as retribution or punishment for

something done or left undone "; and "abuse" as "cruel or violent treatment of someone;

[specifically] physical or mental maltreatment, often resulting in mental, emotional, sexual,

or physical injury." ( C itations deleted.) I d. at ¶ 16.

{¶ 46} We find that the municipal court erred in granting summary judgment to

Kircher on appellant's R.C. 2307.60 claim

. Appellant 's amended complaint alleged that

Kircher initiated harassing and threatening emails in response to appellant serving Kircher

with legal filings and attached said emails to her complaint. The language and tone of

Kircher's emails to appellant are consistent with this allegation. As the party moving for

summary judgment, Kircher was required to specifically point to "the pleadings,

depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of

evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any" which affirmatively demonstrate that there

is no genuine issue as to any material fact, and that he was entitled to judgment as a

matter of law. Dresher

, 75 Ohio St.3d at 293. However, Kircher did not attach an affidavit

or any evidentiary materials to his motion for summary judgment

. Kircher's motion for

summary judgment refers to "the selectively edited emails attached to the Amended

Complaint," thereby suggesting there were more tele communications that were not

submitted by appellant. However, Kircher did not attach the se un edited portions of the

emails to his motion for summary judgment. Kircher's motion for summary judgment also

generally argued that given the context of this case, no reasonable jury could conclude

that he committed telecommunications harassment. However, t he moving party cannotWarren CA2 0 2 3

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- 15

- discharge its initial burden under Civ.R. 56 simply by making a conclusory assertion that

the nonmoving party has no evidence to prove its case. Id. Because Kircher failed to

produce any Civ.R. 56(C) evidence regarding the lack of a genuine issue of material fact,

we find that he failed to meet his initial burden under Civ.R. 56. I f the moving party fails

to satisfy its initial burden, the motion for summary judgment must be denied. Id.

{¶ 47} Appellant's third assignment of error is sustained.

{¶ 48} Judgment reversed and remanded for further proceedings

.

S. POWELL

, P.J., and HENDRICKSON

, J., concur.