‘Real Housewives’ Star Beats Anesthesiologists’ Defamation Claim

“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast member Annemarie Wiley escaped a defamation counterclaim from a professional organization representing anesthesiologists as part of her own defamation case against the group.

Wiley’s allegedly defamatory statements about why she sued the American Society of Anesthsiologists Inc. for defamation were nonactionable opinions and protected by the fair reports privilege, Judge Manish S. Shah of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois said Tuesday.

A defamation plaintiff must prove the defendant made a false, unprivileged statement to a third party that caused damages. Such a statement may be protected as opinion if ...