Case Name: Michael Muscarella, Appellant-Respondent, v. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Doing Business as Buffalo News, et al., Respondents-Appellants
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2000-12-27
Citations: 278 A.D.2d 854
Docket Number: 
Parties: Michael Muscarella, Appellant-Respondent, v Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Doing Business as Buffalo News, et al., Respondents-Appellants.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 278
Pages: 854–855

Head Matter:
Michael Muscarella, Appellant-Respondent, v Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Doing Business as Buffalo News, et al., Respondents-Appellants.
[721 NYS2d 432]

Opinion:
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.