Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Affirms Summary Judgment for The Anniston Star

Attorneys Involved: Dennis R. Bailey and Bethany L. Bolger

In Little v. Consolidated Publishing, a libel suit by a public official against The Anniston Star, the City Councilman claimed the newspaper libeled him by publishing statements of another councilman that there was “buzz” in the community that the plaintiff had recommended a female contractor because of a personal relationship.

The newspaper had received summary judgment at the trial level. The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals had reversed the summary judgment in a 3-2 opinion. However, after a petition for rehearing was filed, the Court requested oral argument and, on May 13, 2011, withdrew the prior opinion and issued a 3-2 opinion AFFIRMING summary judgment for The Anniston Star.