Robert E. Ahearn v. City of Alexandria

STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT

15-1014 consolidated with 15-1189

ROBERT E. AHEARN

VERSUS

CITY OF ALEXANDRIA, ET AL.

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APPEAL FROM THE
NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF RAPIDES, NO. 251,261
HONORABLE THOMAS YEAGER, DISTRICT JUDGE

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MARC T. AMY
JUDGE

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Court composed of Jimmie C. Peters, Marc T. Amy, and David Kent Savoie,
Judges.

WRIT GRANTED. REVERSED. SPECIAL MOTION TO STRIKE
GRANTED AND RENDERED. REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

Brian D. Mosley
711 Washington Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 484-6100
COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT-IN-
RECONVENTION/RELATOR:
Robert E. Ahearn

Martha R. Crenshaw
2001 MacArthur Drive
Alexandria, LA 71309
(318) 445-6471
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT:
City of Alexandria

Catherine L. Davidson
Post Office Box 71
Alexandria, LA 71301
(504) 756-4059
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANTS/PLAINTIFFS-IN-
RECONVENTION/RESPONDENTS:
Catherine L. Davidson
1921 Jackson Street, LLC

AMY, Judge.

The plaintiff filed suit against the City and various individuals, alleging that

he sustained damages as a result of his arrest and investigation into alleged theft

from a job site where he had performed carpentry work. The defendant business

owner and the defendant business filed a reconventional demand, alleging damages

associated with the plaintiff’s work and property loss. They further sought

damages for allegedly defamatory comments contained in the plaintiff’s pleadings.

In response, the plaintiff filed a special motion to strike the claim of defamation

pursuant to La.Code Civ.P. art. 971. The trial court denied the motion and

assessed attorney fees and costs against the plaintiff’s counsel. By this

consolidated review, we consider the plaintiff’s application for supervisory writs

on the merits of the motion and his attorney’s appeal from the order of attorney

fees. For the following reasons, we grant the writ application, reversing the denial

of the special motion to strike. We further render judgment granting the special

motion to strike and remand for further proceedings.

Factual and Procedural Background

Robert Ahearn filed the underlying petition and amending petition, alleging

that he had been hired by Catherine Davidson to perform carpentry work at a

business, 1921 Jackson Street, LLC, in Alexandria. Mr. Ahearn asserted that Ms.

Davidson initiated a criminal investigation with the Alexandria Police Department,

informing the department that she was an attorney for the City of Alexandria and

communicating that he had “removed all items of value” from the property. He

stated that Ms. Davidson also indicated that he would not accept her telephone

calls. Thereafter, and purportedly “based on the allegations of” Ms. Davidson and

another person, the police department obtained search and arrest warrants.

Mr. Ahearn named a number of defendants, including Ms. Davidson, 1921

Jackson Street and the City, through the Alexandria City Police Department. He

asserted that Ms. Davidson and the City had no evidence that he “stole materials

from the job site . . . and installed them at his property.” Yet, that information was

used for his subsequent arrest. 1 Additionally, he alleged that the police

department, as well as five “non-police personnel,” was allowed to enter his

residence and remove property, including items that required “deconstructing” of

the home such as windows, countertops, and a deck. He suggested that the

defendants did so conspiratorially and intentionally, causing damage to or

destruction of the property. Mr. Ahearn alleged that the property was not

preserved as evidence, but was given to Ms. Davidson, 1921 Jackson Street, and

another individual.

Mr. Ahearn advanced a number of causes of action against the defendants,

including Ms. Davidson, 1921 Jackson Street, and the City. The causes of action

included negligent/intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional

harassment and defamation, malicious prosecution, and damage to property. Mr.

Ahearn sought assorted damages, including pain and suffering, mental anguish,

and financial loss. He further suggested that the defendants violated constitutional

rights, including those related to due process and privacy.

In answering the petitions, Ms. Davidson and 1921 Jackson Street filed

exceptions and affirmative defenses. Additionally, Ms. Davidson and 1921

Jackson Street included a reconventional demand against Mr. Ahearn, alleging

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The First Supplemental and Amending Petition for Damages references an offense
report identifying the “offenses” as “Contractor Funds Misapp. (29 counts), Theft Over $500.00,
[and] Simple Burglary.” In brief, Mr. Ahearn represents that a grand jury returned a “no true
bill” and that the district attorney’s office “then entered a Nolle Prosse, and the charges and case
against the Petitioner was [sic] dismissed.”

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damages related to purported conversion of materials and subsequent work

performed in remediation on the job site. Ms. Davidson and 1921 Jackson Street

also asserted that: “[a]llegations in the Petition for Damages and the First

Supplemental Petition for Damages are defamatory.” That final allegation

included a prayer for “[a]ll damages allowable by law for defamatory statements,

claims and allegations contained in the Petition for Damages and the First

Supplemental Petition for Damages[.]”

Mr. Ahearn responded to the reconventional demand with a Special Motion

to Strike pursuant to La.Code Civ.P. art. 971. Mr. Ahearn noted that Ms.

Davidson’s and 1921 Jackson Street’s reconventional demand advanced a

defamation claim stemming from his petition and supplemental and amending

petition. He argued that those pleadings “were made in connection with his right

to petition, and done so on an issue under judicial review and made before a

judicial proceeding” and therefore subject to the special motion to strike. Mr.

Ahearn, therefore, asked that the trial court strike the defamation claim and award

attorney fees and costs.

At the hearing on the special motion to strike, Ms. Davidson appeared on her

own behalf and as counsel for 1921 Jackson Street. Upon questioning by the trial

court, Ms. Davidson specifically denied the petitions’ assertions that she

represented to the police that she was an attorney for the City at the time she filed

the complaint. She instead reported that she did not become employed by the City

until well after the subject events.2 The parties did not otherwise present evidence.

2
Following the trial court’s observation that the underlying conduct occurred in
December 2012, Ms. Davidson explained that her employment with the City began in October
2013.

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The trial court thereafter denied the special motion, noting that Ms. Davidson was

acting as a private person in her involvement in the matter and that, at the time of

the hearing was merely representing “the LLC which is a private corporation so

there is no State action[.]” After hearing from Ms. Davidson regarding the time

she spent in preparation for the hearing, the trial court ordered that the attorney

who filed Mr. Ahearn’s petitions, Thomas Davenport, pay attorney fees in the

amount of $750 and court costs of $95.

Mr. Ahearn subsequently filed an application for supervisory writs with this

court, asserting that the trial court erred in: 1) denying of the special motion to

strike; 2) awarding a pro se litigant attorney fees or, alternatively, awarding more

attorney fees than were requested; and in 3) ordering his counsel to personally pay

attorney fees.

Additionally, Mr. Davenport filed an appeal, arguing that the trial court

erred in ordering him, as attorney, to pay attorney fees and costs or, alternatively,

finding him responsible for his client’s debts. Like Mr. Ahearn in the

corresponding writ application, Mr. Davenport further argues that the trial court

erred in awarding attorney fees to a pro se litigant or, alternatively, awarding more

attorney fees than were requested.

This court ordered the consolidation of the writ application with the appeal

for consideration.3

3
The decree for Mr. Davenport’s separate appeal is reported in the companion case. See
Robert E. Ahearn v. City of Alexandria, et al., 15-1189 (La.App. 3 Cir. _/_/16), _ So.3d _.

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Discussion

Special Motion to Strike

With regard to the merits of this matter, Mr. Ahearn argues that the trial

court erred in denying his special motion to strike the reconventional demand’s

defamation claim. He specifically suggests that the trial court erred in doing so

based upon the finding that “there is no State action . . . .” Instead, he notes that

the defamation claim was based upon claims in his petition and his supplemental

and amending petition.

In this regard, La.Code Civ.P. art. 9714 provides the special motion to strike

and instructs that:

A. (1) A cause of action against a person arising from any act of
that person in furtherance of the person’s right of petition or free
speech under the United States or Louisiana Constitution in
connection with a public issue shall be subject to a special motion to
strike, unless the court determines that the plaintiff has established a
probability of success on the claim.

(2) In making its determination, the court shall consider the
pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the facts
upon which the liability or defense is based.

(3) If the court determines that the plaintiff has established a
probability of success on the claim, that determination shall be
admissible in evidence at any later stage of the proceeding.

B. In any action subject to Paragraph A of this Article, a
prevailing party on a special motion to strike shall be awarded
reasonable attorney fees and costs.
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Enacted by 1999 La. Acts. No. 734, Article 971 reflects a legislative determination that:

The legislature finds and declares that there has been a disturbing increase in
lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of
freedom of speech and petition for redress of grievances. The legislature finds and
declares that it is in the public interest to encourage continued participation in matters of
public significance, and that this participation should not be chilled through abuse of the
judicial process. To this end, it is the intention of the legislature that the Article enacted
pursuant to this Act shall be construed broadly.

Id. at § 2.

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C. (1) The special motion may be filed within ninety days of
service of the petition, or in the court’s discretion, at any later time
upon terms the court deems proper.

(2) If the plaintiff voluntarily dismisses the action prior to the
running of the delays for filing an answer, the defendant shall retain
the right to file a special motion to strike within the delays provided
by Subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph, and the motion shall be heard
pursuant to the provisions of this Article.

(3) The motion shall be noticed for hearing not more than thirty
days after service unless the docket conditions of the court require a
later hearing.

D. All discovery proceedings in the action shall be stayed upon
the filing of a notice of motion made pursuant to this Article. The
stay of discovery shall remain in effect until notice of entry of the
order ruling on the motion. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Paragraph, the court, on noticed motion and for good cause shown,
may order that specified discovery be conducted.

E. This Article shall not apply to any enforcement action
brought on behalf of the state of Louisiana by the attorney general,
district attorney, or city attorney acting as a public prosecutor.

F. As used in this Article, the following terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to them below, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise:

(1) “Act in furtherance of a person’s right of petition or free
speech under the United States or Louisiana Constitution in
connection with a public issue” includes but is not limited to:

(a) Any written or oral statement or writing made before a
legislative, executive, or judicial proceeding, or any other official
proceeding authorized by law.

(b) Any written or oral statement or writing made in connection
with an issue under consideration or review by a legislative,
executive, or judicial body, or any other official body authorized by
law.

(c) Any written or oral statement or writing made in a place
open to the public or a public forum in connection with an issue of
public interest.

(d) Any other conduct in furtherance of the exercise of the
constitutional right of petition or the constitutional right of free speech
in connection with a public issue or an issue of public interest.

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(2) “Petition” includes either a petition or a reconventional
demand.

(3) “Plaintiff” includes either a plaintiff or petitioner in a
principal action or a plaintiff or petitioner in reconvention.

(4) “Defendant” includes either a defendant or respondent in a
principal action or a defendant or respondent in reconvention.

The courts of this state have interpreted La.Code Civ.P. art. 971(A)(1) to

require a two-part burden of proof. The moving party must first prove that the

subject cause of action arises from an act in the exercise of his right of free speech

regarding a public issue. See Yount v. Handshoe, 14-919 (La.App. 5 Cir. 5/28/15),

171 So.3d 381; Aymond v. Dupree, 05-1248 (La.App. 3 Cir. 4/12/06), 928 So.2d

721, writ denied, 06-1729 (La. 10/6/06), 938 So.2d 85. If the moving party

“satisfies this initial burden of proof, then the burden shifts to the plaintiff to show

a probability of success on his claim.” Aymond, 928 So.2d at 727.

Thus, in the event Mr. Ahearn established his initial burden, Ms. Davidson

was required to demonstrate a probability of success on her claim of defamation.

In addressing the tort of defamation, the supreme court has noted that the cause of

action involves the invasion of one’s interest in his or her reputation and good

name. Kennedy v. Sheriff of East Baton Rouge, 05-1418 (La. 7/10/06), 935 So.2d

669 (citing Costello v. Hardy, 03-1146 (La. 1/21/04), 864 So.2d 129). A plaintiff

advancing a cause of action in defamation must prove: “(1) a false and defamatory

statement concerning another; (2) an unprivileged publication to a third party; (3)

fault (negligence or greater) on the part of the publisher; and (4) resulting injury.”

Id. at 674.

The transcript reveals that the trial court rejected the special motion to strike,

finding that: “[T]his action under 971 is inappropriate because . . . there is no State

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action by Ms. Davidson. She’s a private person and today she is representing the

LLC which is a private corporation so there is no State action so the Motion to

Strike is . . . denied.” It is unclear from this ruling whether the trial court

considered this matter pursuant to the two-fold burden of proof. In any event,

however, an appellate court’s review of a trial court’s ruling on a special motion to

strike is de novo, as the matter presented involves an issue of law. See Aymond,

928 So.2d 721. Upon review of this matter under that standard, we find error in

the trial court’s determination.

First, and with regard to the plaintiff’s burden of proving that the pertinent

cause of action arises from an act in the exercise of his right of petition or free

speech in connection with a public issue, Ms. Davidson’s reconventional demand

for defamation states that: “Allegations in the Petition for Damages and First

Supplemental Petition for Damages are defamatory.” The prayer for damages was

also solely tied to the petitions and sought: “All damages allowable by law for

defamatory statements, claims and allegations contained in the Petition for

Damages and the First Supplemental Petition for Damages[.]” Thus, the

defamation claim stemmed solely from Mr. Ahearn’s court filings. Louisiana

Code of Civil Procedure Article 971(F) specifically provides that an:

(1) “Act in furtherance of a person’s right of petition or free
speech under the United States or Louisiana Constitution in
connection with a public issue,” includes but is not limited to:

(a) Any written or oral statement or writing made before a . . .
judicial proceeding[.]

Under the plain wording of this provision, Mr. Ahearn satisfied his initial burden

as the petitions were clearly writings made before a judicial proceeding. See

Gwandiku v. State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co., 07-580 (La.App. 3 Cir. 10/31/07), 972

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So.2d 334 (wherein a panel of this court cited Article 971(F)(1)(a) and determined

that a defamation claim arising from a witness’s testimony before a court and

addressing a matter of medical billing arose from an act in furtherance of the

witness’s right of free speech and in relation to a public issue).

Finding that petitions fall within the ambit La.Code Civ.P. art. 971, Ms.

Davidson and 1921 Jackson Street were required to demonstrate the probability of

success on the defamation claim. Article 971A(2) provides that: “the court shall

consider the pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the facts

upon which the liability or defense is based.” While the record contains the

parties’ respective pleadings, neither party introduced affidavits at the hearing.

Instead, Ms. Davidson’s argument focused upon the allegation that she had

informed police officials that she was an attorney for the city. As stated above,

Ms. Davidson refuted that claim, contrasting the dates of the underlying events

with her subsequent employment by the city. However, Mr. Ahearn’s petitions

contained wide-ranging allegations regarding Ms. Davidson’s and 1921 Jackson

Street’s conduct that pertained to matters beyond representations regarding her

employment, or lack thereof, with the City. These larger allegations pertained to,

among other things, removal and retention of property Mr. Ahearn represents as

his own. On the issue of such property-based claims, the record includes only the

parties’ cross-pleadings. With each party asserting their respective positions as to

ownership and propriety of the actions, the probability of success of the defamation

claim cannot be determined. Simply, the adverse pleadings offer no insight into

the elements of falsity, unprivileged publication to another, fault, and injury, as

described by Kennedy, 935 So.2d 669. Accordingly, Ms. Davidson and 1921

Jackson Street failed to sustain their requisite burden of proof.

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For this reason, we below reverse the trial court’s denial of the special

motion to strike and grant that motion in favor of Mr. Ahearn.

Attorney Fees and Costs

In the prayer of his writ application on the merits, Mr. Ahearn seeks an

award of attorney fees upon this court’s granting of the special motion to strike.

Notably, La.Code Civ.P. art. 971(B) dictates that “a prevailing party on a special

motion to strike shall be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs.”

Accordingly, Mr. Ahearn is entitled to such an award. However, we remand this

matter to the trial court for the imposition of that award as neither the record nor

the memorandum to this court evidence the attorney fees or trial costs involved. In

the decree that follows, we order the payment of costs associated with this appeal,

but leave the award of attorney fees incurred at both the trial and appellate levels

and the court costs at the trial level to the trial court upon remand.

Further, and in the companion appeal of this matter, we reverse the award of

attorney fees and costs in favor of Ms. Davidson and 1921 Jackson Street. We do

not address Mr. Ahearn’s attorney’s argument that the trial court erred in imposing

the fee against him as that issue is rendered moot by the reversal of the order.

DECREE

For the foregoing reasons, the application for supervisory writs is granted,

reversing the denial of the special motion to strike filed by the plaintiff/defendant-

in-reconvention/relator, Robert E. Ahearn. Judgment is entered, granting the

special motion to strike and thereby striking the cause of action of defamation

contained within the reconventional demand of the defendants/plaintiffs-in-

reconvention/respondents, Catherine Davidson and 1921 Jackson Street, LLC.

Costs of this writ application are assigned to Ms. Davidson and 1921 Jackson

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Street, LLC. This matter is remanded for the award of trial and appellate attorney

fees and trial costs in favor of Mr. Ahearn.

WRIT GRANTED. REVERSED. SPECIAL MOTION TO STRIKE
GRANTED AND RENDERED. REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS.

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