Want access to unlimited case records and advanced research tools? Create your free CasePortal account now. No credit card required to register.
Try CasePortal for FreeJ. Williams partially grants a fire department, its president and another member’s motion for summary judgment in this employment dispute brought by a couple that were former volunteer firefighters. The couple alleges unlawful expulsion, retaliation against the exercise of free speech, defamation, defamation per se and tortious interference with a beneficial relationship after the department suspended them for harassing and assaulted the other member. The couple attended hearings, but the bylaws did not allow them to attend the expulsion meeting held before they were able to submit additional evidence. The couple cannot establish that they were in fact employees, nor that they received any remuneration before the expulsion, or that they experienced an actual loss after the expulsion. The defamation and defamation per se claims are ready to proceed to trial, the president and member e-file a joint status report.