600 West 115Th Street Corp. v. Robert Von Gutfeld

Plaintiff seeks to recover damages for allegedly defamatory statements made by defendant in opposition to plaintiffs application for a building permit during a public hearing conducted by a New York City Community Board. Defendant contends that his statements were absolutely privileged under the common law and that they were protected speech under the State and Federal Constitutions. We conclude the statements were constitutionally protected and therefore reverse the order of the Appellate Division and grant defendants motion for summary judgment dismissing the complaint.