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Cosme v. Town of Islip

Court of Appeals of the State of New York
Oct 23, 1984
472 N.E.2d 1033 (N.Y. 1984)

Opinion

Decided October 23, 1984

Appeal from the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the First Judicial Department, Albert P. Williams, J.

Warren H. Richmond, III, and Lawrence F. Spirn for appellant.

Brian W. McElhenny for respondents.


MEMORANDUM.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed, with costs.

Defendant Town Supervisor Peter F. Cohalan, as an executive officer of a local government, was entitled to an absolute privilege for statements made during the discharge of his responsibilities about matters within the ambit of his duties ( Clark v McGee, 49 N.Y.2d 613, 617; see Stukuls v State of New York, 42 N.Y.2d 272, 278).

Although there may be some question about whether defendants Frank Jones and Gregory Munson were entitled to an absolute or qualified privilege, it is clear that they were at least entitled to a qualified privilege and, although malice is alleged in the complaint, no evidence was presented to show a wrongful intent to harm plaintiff. Nor was there any evidence, aside from plaintiff's conclusory allegations, to indicate disregard for the truth, much less reckless disregard for the truth (see Zuckerman v City of New York, 49 N.Y.2d 557, 562). Absent a showing of malice, the existence of a qualified privilege on behalf of defendants Jones and Munson leaves no issue of fact to be passed upon by the jury.

Chief Judge COOKE and Judges JASEN, JONES, WACHTLER, MEYER, SIMONS and KAYE concur.

On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.4 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (22 N.Y.CRR 500.4), order affirmed, with costs, in a memorandum.


Summaries of

Cosme v. Town of Islip

Court of Appeals of the State of New York
Oct 23, 1984
472 N.E.2d 1033 (N.Y. 1984)
Case details for

Cosme v. Town of Islip

Case Details

Full title:FELIX COSME, Plaintiff, v. TOWN OF ISLIP, Defendant. (Action No. 1.) FELIX…

Court:Court of Appeals of the State of New York

Date published: Oct 23, 1984

Citations

472 N.E.2d 1033 (N.Y. 1984)
472 N.E.2d 1033
483 N.Y.S.2d 205

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