A Nashville judge has ruled that former Republican legislative candidate Michelle Foreman must pay $100,000 in sanctions to former Metro Nashville council member Dave Rosenberg to deter her from future lawsuits aimed at chilling public participation. Circuit Court Judge Lynne Ingram found that Foreman’s actions constituted a strategic lawsuit against public participation, known as a SLAPP suit. This ruling stemmed from a defamation case where Foreman sued Rosenberg for $300,000 after he called her a “truly-unhinged politician” in a newsletter. The judge determined that Rosenberg’s comments were protected political speech and did not meet the legal standard for defamation. Foreman, who had run for the Tennessee House of Representatives and Metro Council in the past, was defeated in the elections. Foreman was represented by G. Kline Preston, IV, while Rosenberg was represented by attorneys from the Horwitz Firm. This ruling serves as a warning to Foreman and others who seek to use frivolous lawsuits to discourage public participation.
Source
Photo credit tennesseelookout.com
Michelle Foreman, former Republican candidate, faces $100,000 in court sanctions in Tennessee Lookout case
Previous article![]( "Teacher in Tennessee arrested for bringing guns to preschool and threatening to shoot coworker")
Next article![]( "The Columbine incident led to a misguided fear that schools are no longer safe for children")
