Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

I pastor a church and share a complex with another tenant and a couple years ago he branched out into a U-haul business and there became a parking problem. A while later the code inforcement officials contacted him and he had to get permits and there was parking problems and he accused me of turning him into the officials. Now he has some bumper stickers made up with our Church names and address printed on them and has given them out stating:

COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CENTER,

10968 "I" AVE, HESPERIA

NOT GOOD FOR BUSINESS

MY QUESTION IS, CAN HE DO THIS LEGALLY AND WHAT IS MY RECOURSE IF ANY?


Asked on 7/12/11, 7:27 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Joe Marman Law Office of Joseph Marman

That is technically slander and defamation. Unfortunately juries do not put a lot of value on them, unless you experienced some financial loss. Sue him in Small claims court. No attorney will take your case without a sizeable deposit of cash from you.

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Answered on 7/12/11, 8:54 am

I don't think you even get to the damages issue. Opinion cannot be the basis for a defamation action, only a false statement of fact.

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Answered on 7/12/11, 11:14 am


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