Anti-SLAPP Shield Fails to Block Nurse’s Defamation Lawsuit

A nurse’s lawsuit against her ex-mother-in-law and sister-in-law can proceed after a federal appeals court shot down attempts to use Massachusetts’ anti-SLAPP law as an escape hatch.

Reports from Jennifer and Colleen Marcus to private entities about plaintiff Rebecca Blakesley’s alleged professional misconduct don’t qualify as protected “petitioning activity” under the state’s anti-strategic lawsuit against public participation statute, Judge Julie Rikelman said Friday. The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed a lower court’s refusal to dismiss Blakesley’s defamation case.

Blakesley claims the Marcuses spread false allegations about Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act violations and nursing school ...