Judge Fines Attorney $10,000 for Filing SLAPP Lawsuit—Neighbor Created an Online Internet Petition to Oppose a Proposed Subdivision
The defendants in the subject case asserted that the plaintiffs’ action is a SLAPP suit, i.e., a strategic lawsuit against public participation that is intended to censor, intimidate and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition. The court dismissed the suit, awarded attorney fees and costs against the plaintiffs and sanctioned the plaintiffs’ counsel $10,000.
