Scientology Scores A First Amendment Win Over Leah Remini, But Harassment Claims Against Church Still Stand, Judge Rules
14.03.2024 - 22:07
/ deadline.com
Leah Remini‘s defamation and harassment suit against the Church of Scientology is far from dead, but it’s certainly constitutionally wounded.
In a March 12 split final ruling from LA Superior Court Judge Randolph Hammock, the David Miscavige-led organization has prevailed on getting significant portions of the ex-Scientologist’s action stricken on First Amendment grounds. However, parts of Remini’s harassment claims, “allegations of surveillance” and the tortious inference claim remain in the case going forward.
Having issued a tentative ruling on these matters weeks ago, and overseen hearings in DTA on January 16 and February 6, Judge Hammock’s final ruling doesn’t really contain anything anyone in the case didn’t know what coming. Still, even with an October 27, 2025 trial start date on the books right now, it would be foolish to say that Remini hasn’t suffered a setback from Scientology’s successful use of California’s muscular anti-SLAPP statute and Free Speech assertions.
“This is not a private dispute,” Judge Hammock writes his long-awaited official decision of the long ongoing battle between the former King of Queens star and her former faith. “When viewed in context, the First Amended Complaint plainly demonstrates that the alleged statements Defendants made about Plaintiff online implicate a broader public dispute over Plaintiff’s relationship with Scientology,” he adds. “The online posts are themselves a part of the public’s interest in Plaintiff and Scientology.”
Read the final ruling in Scientology’s anti-SLAPP motion against plaintiff Leah Remini here
“The Church is a high-profile entity speaking on a high-profile figure,” the judge says rhetorically laying out his thinking. “Plaintiff is a high-profile
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