Opinion ID: 2065841
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: False Light Invasion of Privacy, Defamation, Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, and Punitive Damages

Text: [¶ 14] The rest of Halco's claims were properly dismissed. Because all of Davey's alleged statements were statements of opinion, they neither establish a claim for false light invasion of privacy, see Veilleux v. National Broadcasting Co., 206 F.3d 92, 134 (1st Cir.2000), nor defamation, see Lester v. Powers, 596 A.2d 65, 69 (Me.1991). Because Beebe-Center's statement did not involve a major misrepresentation of Halco's character, history, activities or beliefs, or refer to Halco's reputation, the complaint also fails to establish claims for false light invasion of privacy, see Dempsey v. National Enquirer, Inc., 687 F.Supp. 692, 694 (D.Me.1988), or defamation, see Bakal v. Weare, 583 A.2d 1028, 1029 (Me.1990). In addition, Halco's claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress fails to plead facts that, as a matter of law, exceed all possible bounds of decency in a civilized community. See Curtis v. Porter, 2001 ME 158, ¶ 10, 784 A.2d 18, 22. Finally, because no cause of action remains except for Halco's breach of contract claim, Halco's claim for punitive damages was also properly dismissed. See Stull v. First Am. Title Ins. Co., 2000 ME 21, ¶ 17, 745 A.2d 975, 981 (stating that [n]o matter how egregious the breach, punitive damages are unavailable under Maine law for breach of contract) (alteration in original) (quotation marks omitted). [1] The entry is: The dismissal of Halco's breach of contract claim is vacated and remanded for further proceedings. The dismissal of the claims for false light invasion of privacy, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and punitive damages are affirmed.