MICHAEL J. MANDELBAUM VS. JACK ARSENEAULTÂ (L-0927-15, SOMERSET COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) ( 2017 )

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court."
Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the
parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R.1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-1042-15T4
MICHAEL J. MANDELBAUM,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
JACK ARSENEAULT,
Defendant-Respondent.
________________________________
Argued December 20, 2016 – Decided September 28, 2017
Before Judges Ostrer and Leone.
On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
Law Division, Somerset County, Docket No. L-
0927-15.
Joel M. Silverstein argued the cause for
appellant (Stern & Kilcullen, LLC, attorneys;
Mr. Silverstein and Michael Dinger, on the
briefs).
Nace Naumoski argued the cause for respondent
(Stewart Bernstiel Rebar & Smith, attorneys;
Cathleen Kelly Rebar, of counsel; Mr.
Naumoski, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
This case arises out of the divorce of plaintiff Michael J.
Mandelbaum and Debra A. Mandelbaum. One of Debra's lawyers,
defendant Jack Arseneault, sent filings in the divorce litigation
to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), resulting in their widespread
publication. Michael sued Arseneault for abuse of process (count
one), libel (count two), invasion of privacy — false light (count
three), invasion of privacy — public disclosure of private facts
(count four), and civil conspiracy (count five). Michael appeals
an October 30, 2015 order granting Arseneault's motion to dismiss
Michael's complaint without prejudice for failure to state a claim,
and granting his motion to strike paragraphs 4-12, 29, 41, and 52
of the complaint. We affirm the dismissal without prejudice of
count one, reverse the dismissal of counts two through five, and
reverse the striking of the paragraphs.
I.
"Because this appeal comes to us on a Rule 4:6-2(e) motion
to dismiss, we accept as true all factual assertions in the
complaint." Smith v. SBC Communs., Inc., 178 N.J. 265, 268-69
(2004). Thus, the following facts are drawn from Michael's
complaint.
The complaint's paragraphs 4-12 alleged as follows. Debra
secretly decided to divorce Michael to claim as much of Michael's
family's money as possible. In preparation, she attempted to
obtain and hide assets; opened secret personal safe deposit boxes;
tried to taunt him to hit her by hitting him in the groin and by
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initiating verbal altercations; and falsely told others he abused
her. On December 17, 2013, Debra removed expensive jewelry from
their house and hid it in her personal safe deposit box. The next
day, Michael discovered she removed the jewelry and insisted they
go to the bank the morning of December 19 to retrieve it. They
argued. Later, Debra researched post-concussion syndrome, and
arranged for their older son to take their youngest child to school
so she and Michael would be alone in the house before the bank
opened on December 19.
On the morning of December 19, Michael and Debra argued. When
Michael tried to walk away, Debra hit, grabbed and blocked him,
and confronted him in the hallway. "There, Debra stepped away
from Michael, gave him a strange look as she continued backwards
toward the staircase landing, and slid down the stairs feet-first
on her stomach, mocking him with facial gestures as she began her
slide down the stairs."
Michael immediately attended to Debra, called a doctor, and
later called 911. After the police arrived, Debra lied to police
that Michael had "grabbed her and pushed her, causing her to lose
her balance and fall down the stairs." Michael was arrested.
When Debra was taken to the hospital, she lied to a police
officer that Michael abused her for years. She also lied that he
"advanced toward her in a threatening manner and grabbed her upper
3 A-1042-15T4
arms," that she fell down the stairs "as she began to back away
from Michael, in an attempt to free herself," and that while he
"didn't specifically push her down the stairs[,] she would not
have fallen if she wasn't afraid of what he was going to do as he
grabbed her arms and threatened to kill her."
While at the hospital, Debra telephonically completed a
domestic violence complaint upon which a municipal court judge
relied in issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO). She lied
to the judge that Michael "was pushing and shoving and screaming,"
that she stepped back from his aggressiveness, "lost [her] balance
and fell down the stairs." She stated that Michael "did not
physically have his hands on my body and push me but he kept . . .
grabbing me and pushing me and, . . . taking threatening steps,"
"grabbing me on my arms," face, and shoulders and "stepp[ing]
towards me with his hands outstretched."
By December 25, Debra contradicted those false allegations.
She admitted to her sister-in-law that "Michael did not push her
or lay a hand on her," and that she fell down the stairs because
she "slipped or lost her balance." Debra told a contractor that
"Michael did not lay a hand on me." Debra told another sister-
in-law that Michael did not push her down the stairs. Nonetheless,
on January 6, 2014, the Prosecutor's Office filed a criminal
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complaint-arrest warrant charging Michael with aggravated assault,
N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b)(7).
Since December 21, 2013, Arseneault served as Debra's co-
counsel in the divorce case and represented Debra in the criminal
case. By January 9, 2014, he knew Michael's arrest, the TRO, and
the criminal complaint-arrest warrant (collectively the "Process")
were based on Debra's accusations "she had fallen down the stairs
as a result of Michael pushing, shoving, and grabbing her, and
that those accusations were false." In a January 9 email to
Michael's counsel, Arseneault acknowledged Debra's admission "that
her husband did not push her down the stairs."
Nonetheless, Arseneault conspired with Debra to exploit her
false allegations and abuse the Process as leverage to extort a
settlement from Michael and his family that was larger than she
legally deserved in the divorce case. The complaint's paragraph
29 alleged Arseneault's compensation included a percentage of any
settlement Debra received in the divorce case.
Arseneault also used Debra's false allegations and the
resulting Process to coerce Michael into signing a January 23,
2014 consent order in which Debra agreed to dismiss the TRO and
Michael agreed to pay her $25,000 per month plus household and
transportation expenses and $140,000 in legal and other costs.
5 A-1042-15T4
When Michael moved to dismiss the divorce complaint,
Arseneault included in the June 12, 2014 opposition papers a
certification by Debra, in which she resurrected her false and
abandoned allegation that Michael pushed, shoved, and grabbed her,
causing her to fall down the stairs. Arseneault also included
exhibits, including the police officer's probable-cause affidavit
repeating that allegation and describing Michael's arrest, and a
joint tax return of Debra and Michael in which Michael's social
security number was unredacted.
The complaint's paragraph 41 alleged that in an August 6,
2014 letter, Arseneault threatened a "public undressing" of
Michael and his family if he did not accede to Debra's monetary
demands.
In September 2014, Arseneault followed through on that threat
by contacting the WSJ and providing it with certain filings in the
divorce case, including Debra's certification and the exhibits
stating Michael had "grabbed and pushed her, causing her to lose
her balance and fall." Although Arseneault knew Debra's accusation
was false, he decided not to advise the WSJ's reporter.1
1
The parties have supplied us with Debra's certification and over
200 pages of exhibits Arseneault admittedly supplied to the WSJ,
but have not supplied us with the WSJ's resulting article.
6 A-1042-15T4
As a result, the WSJ published an online article which quoted
Debra's false accusation and provided electronic links to Debra's
certification and the exhibits. The article stated that Michael,
son of a part owner of the Minnesota Vikings, had been charged
with aggravated assault and that Debra had obtained a TRO.
The WSJ story was picked up by numerous other publications,
including Sports Illustrated, the New York Post, The Star-Ledger,
and online sites, each of which reported that Michael pushed Debra
down the stairs. That resulted in a "firestorm of negative
publicity" for Michael and his family, death threats to Michael,
and harassing phone calls to his father.
The complaint's paragraph 52 alleged that in early 2014,
Michael asserted that Debra failed to pay certain expenses that
were her responsibility under the consent order. Michael proposed
that he reduce his next $25,000 monthly payment accordingly.
In a December 14, 2014 letter, Debra's other divorce counsel
responded by threatening that if Michael "withholds so much as one
dollar from [Debra's] monthly support payments," he would be
"publicly disgraced once again." The other counsel was "instructed
to so respond by Arseneault and/or his co-conspirator, Debra."
Michael filed a complaint against Arseneault in the Law
Division. Arseneault successfully moved to dismiss the complaint
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under Rule 4:6-2(e), and to strike the above-mentioned paragraphs
of the complaint under Rule 4:6-4(b). Michael appeals.
II.
We first review the motion court's grant of Arseneault's
motion to strike. Rule 4:6-4(b) permits a court to dismiss a
pleading that is "scandalous, impertinent, or . . . abusive," or
to strike any part of a pleading "that is immaterial or redundant."
The rule is similar to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(f), which permits federal
courts to strike "any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or
scandalous matter." Under that rule, the federal courts review
orders on motions to strike "for an abuse of discretion." See,
e.g., Operating Eng'rs Local 324 Health Care Plan v. G&W Constr.
Co., 783 F.3d 1045, 1050 (6th Cir. 2015); United States v. Coney,
689 F.3d 365, 379 (5th Cir. 2012). We will hew to the same
standard of review.
The motion court ruled the complaint's paragraphs 4-12, 29,
41, and 52 were "not relevant to the underlying claims. Moreover,
the court does not recognize events prior to defendant's
involvement in the matter, or Defendant's alleged motive as
sufficiently related to those claims being asserted here." To the
contrary, as set forth above, those paragraphs were relevant
because the facts alleged were "of consequence to the determination
of the action." See N.J.R.E. 401.
8 A-1042-15T4
Paragraphs 4-12 alleged how and why Arseneault's co-
conspirator Debra prepared to stage her fall down the stairs. The
complaint claims Arseneault intentionally misrepresented why Debra
fell, making relevant Debra's "motive, opportunity, intent,
preparation[ and] plan." See N.J.R.E. 404(b); see also State v.
Louf, 64 N.J. 172, 177 (1973) ("the acts and declarations of any
of the conspirators in furtherance of the common design may be
given in evidence against any other conspirator").
Paragraph 29 alleged Arseneault had a financial motive to
take these actions to maximize Debra's settlement. Motive is
relevant. See State v. Calleia, 206 N.J. 274, 293 (2011). Indeed,
"the court must look to the motivation of the attorney" to resolve
an abuse of process claim. LoBiondo v. Schwartz, 199 N.J. 62, 109
(2009).
Paragraph 41 alleged Arseneault's letter threatened a "public
undressing" of Michael and his family shortly before Arseneault
sent the certification and exhibits to the WSJ.2 Finally,
paragraph 52 alleged Michael's proposal that triggered a threat
2
Arseneault contends paragraph 41 misread his letter, which stated
Debra had made "a good-faith effort to avoid a 'public undressing'
of the family's assets." However, Arseneault's letter concluded
that Michael's position "leaves her with no alternative but to"
"air the family finances." Drawing all reasonable inferences in
Michael's favor, the letter may be read as a threat of a "public
undressing."
9 A-1042-15T4
he would be "publicly disgraced once again," allegedly at the
behest of conspirators Arseneault and Debra. The facts concerning
these threats are relevant.
As these paragraphs are relevant, "[t]here is no
justification for striking" them. DeGroot v. Muccio, 115 N.J.
Super. 15, 19 (Law Div. 1971). Arseneault claims it was scandalous
to allege he entered into a contingency fee in a family matter in
violation of R.P.C. 1.5(d). However, "[n]o matter how the language
may vilify defendants, it will not be 'scandalous' within the
meaning of the cited rule unless it is irrelevant." DeGroot,
supra, 115 N.J. Super. at 19 (citing Chew v. Eagan, 87 N.J. Eq.
80, 81-82 (Ch. 1916)); see also Coney, supra, 689 F.3d at 380
(holding the "pleadings are not scandalous because they are
directly relevant").
Accordingly, the motion court abused its discretion in
striking those paragraphs. Thus, we consider those paragraphs in
reviewing whether the complaint states a claim.
III.
We next address the motion court's dismissal of the complaint
without prejudice for "failure to state a claim upon which relief
can be granted." R. 4:6-2(e). Our Supreme Court has instructed
trial courts "to approach with great caution applications for
dismissal under Rule 4:6-2(e)," which "should be granted in only
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the rarest of instances." Printing Mart-Morristown v. Sharp Elecs.
Corp., 116 N.J. 739, 772 (1989).
"The standard traditionally utilized by courts to determine
whether to dismiss a pleading for failure to state a claim on
which relief may be granted is a generous one" for plaintiffs.
Green v. Morgan Props., 215 N.J. 431, 451 (2013). The standard
is "whether a cause of action is 'suggested' by the facts" alleged
in the complaint. Printing Mart-Morristown, supra, 116 N.J. at
746 (citation omitted). "[A] reviewing court 'searches the
complaint in depth and with liberality to ascertain whether the
fundament of a cause of action may be gleaned even from an obscure
statement of claim, opportunity being given to amend if
necessary.'" Ibid. (citation omitted). Our examination of the
complaint should be one "that is at once painstaking and undertaken
with a generous and hospitable approach." Ibid.
"We review a grant of a motion to dismiss a complaint for
failure to state a cause of action de novo, applying the same
standard under Rule 4:6-2(e) that governed the motion court."
Wreden v. Township of Lafayette, 436 N.J. Super. 117, 124 (App.
Div. 2014). We address each count of the complaint in turn.
A.
Count one charges Arseneault with abuse of process, namely
Michael's arrest, the criminal complaint-arrest warrant, and the
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TRO. We affirm the dismissal of this count on the ground that
Arseneault did not use or threaten the use of process in a coercive
manner as required by our precedent.
We have defined "process" as the "procedural methods used by
a court to 'acquire or exercise its jurisdiction over a person or
over specific property,'" including "the 'summons, mandate, or
writ used by a court to compel the appearance of the defendant in
a legal action or compliance with its orders,'" as well as the
"'arrest of the person and criminal prosecution.'" Ruberton v.
Gabage, 280 N.J. Super. 125, 131 (App. Div.) (citations omitted),
certif. denied, 142 N.J. 451 (1995); see Wozniak v. Pennella, 373
N.J. Super. 445, 461 (App. Div. 2004).
"The tort of malicious abuse of process lies not for
commencing an improper action, but for misusing or misapplying
process after it is issued." Hoffman v. Asseenontv.Com, Inc., 404
N.J. Super. 415, 431 (App. Div. 2009); see Earl v. Winne, 14 N.J.
119, 128-29 (1953). "The tort is defined in Ash v. Cohn, 119
N.J.L. 54, 58 (E. & A. 1937)." Tedards v. Auty, 232 N.J. Super.
541, 549 (App. Div. 1989). A plaintiff claiming malicious abuse
of process must allege "(1) that defendants made an improper,
illegal and perverted use of the process, i.e., a use neither
warranted nor authorized by the process, and (2) that in use of
12 A-1042-15T4
such a process there existed an ulterior motive." Ash, supra, 119
N.J.L. at 58.
As the motion court stated, Michael alleged three instances
of malicious abuse of process. First, Michael alleged "Debra and
Arseneault successfully used the Process – especially the Domestic
Violence TRO and the thinly veiled threat that Debra would again
reverse course [and] cooperate with the prosecutor . . . as
leverage to cause Michael to enter into the Consent Order."
Specifically, Michael cited Debra's earlier statements, to Michael
and their children that she was not cooperating with the
prosecution "at this time." Michael alleged Debra made those
statements on Arseneault's advice. Even if Debra's statements are
attributed to Arseneault, they were not abuse of process.
As the motion court recognized, "[i]n order for there to be
'abuse' of process, . . . a party must 'use' process in some
fashion, and that use must be 'coercive' or 'illegitimate.'"
Hoffman, supra, 404 N.J. Super. at 431 (quoting Ruberton, supra,
280 N.J. Super. at 130-31). "There must be such use of it as in
itself is without the scope of the process and hence improper."
Gambocz v. Apel, 102 N.J. Super. 123, 130 (App. Div.)(quoting Earl
v. Winne, 34 N.J. Super. 605, 614-16 (Law Div. 1955)), certif.
denied, 52 N.J. 485 (1968). "If the process is not used at all
no action can lie for its abuse." Ruberton, supra, 280 N.J. Super.
13 A-1042-15T4
at 131 (quoting Earl, supra, 34 N.J. Super. at 615). "Some
definite act or threat not authorized by the process, or aimed at
an objective not legitimate in the use of the process, is required;
and there is no liability where the defendant has done nothing
more than carry out the process to its authorized conclusion, even
though with bad intentions." Gambocz, supra, 102 N.J. Super. at
128 (quoting Prosser, Law of Torts, § 115, pp. 876-77 (3d ed.
1964)).
Debra's statements did not mention, use, or threaten to use
the arrest or the criminal complaint-arrest warrant. Even if her
statement could be regarded as a threat to "carry out the
[criminal] process to its authorized conclusion," it was not abuse
of process. Ibid.
Second, Michael alleged that Arseneault "again leverag[ed]
the Process in a further attempt to extort from Michael and his
family [an] outlandish settlement" when Arseneault sent the WSJ
filings in the divorce case, in particular Debra's certification
and the exhibits, including the TRO, the criminal complaint-arrest
warrant, and the probable-cause affidavit describing Michael's
arrest. However, publicizing process is not abuse of process.
The New Jersey cases which have found abuse of process have
involved active use of the process "to 'acquire or exercise its
jurisdiction over a person or over specific property.'" Ruberton,
14 A-1042-15T4
supra, 280 N.J. Super. at 131; see, e.g., Ash, supra, 119 N.J.L.
at 55-56, 59 (finding creditors arranged for writs of execution
to be returned unsatisfied to set up a debtor's arrest and coerce
payment of a debt); Wozniak, supra, 373 N.J. Super. at 461-62
(finding a landlord filed a criminal complaint, leading to a
tenant's booking under threat of arrest, to get the tenants to
dismiss a civil complaint); Tedards, supra, 232 N.J. Super. at
543-44, 548-49 (finding wife's attorney misused a writ of ne exeat
by threatening to arrest the husband to coerce payment of a debt);
see also Restatement (Second) of Torts, § 682 cmt. a, illus. 1-3
(1977). "There must be an unlawful interference with the person
or property under color of process." Earl, supra, 34 N.J. Super.
at 615. No New Jersey case has found publicizing process is abuse
of process.
Michael cites a trial court decision from New York holding:
Threats to give wide publicity to the contents
of a complaint, in order to coerce and extort
payments from the defendant in the action,
motivated by a desire to escape adverse
publicity, and the consummation of such
threats do not constitute a legitimate and
proper use of the process of the court.
[Cardy v. Maxwell, 169 N.Y.S.2d 547, 550 (Sup.
Ct. 1957).]
However, New York's highest court later held a similar claim
— that a lawsuit "was totally without basis in fact and was begun
15 A-1042-15T4
solely for the purpose of ruining his business reputation by
widespread publication of the complaint" — did "not state a cause
of action for abuse of process." Williams v. Williams, 246 N.E.2d
333, 335 (N.Y. 1969). The high court ruled "there must be an
unlawful interference with one's person or property under color
of process in order that action for abuse of process may lie."
Ibid. As "it is unclear what strength Cardy v. Maxwell carries"
in New York, we decline to follow it. Chrysler Corp. v. Fedders
Corp., 540 F. Supp. 706, 729 (S.D.N.Y. 1982) (declining to follow
Cardy); see Holiday Magic, Inc. v. Scott, 282 N.E.2d 452, 457
(Ill. App. Ct. 1972) (same; "Cardy is actually a legal anomaly").
Third, Michael alleged Arseneault "and/or" Debra instructed
her other divorce counsel to threaten Michael that he would be
"publicly disgraced once again," with the intent "to abuse and
leverage the Process to (a) coerce Michael to refrain from
enforcing his rights under the terms of the Consent Order, and (b)
thereby continue exacting [excessive] payments from Michael."
Again, this alleged threat did not mention any Process, instead
threatening publicity. That was inadequate to allege abuse of
process, even if it was done to prompt a civil settlement. See
Ruberton, supra, 280 N.J. Super. at 130-31.
Michael notes that, in some circumstances, "it is what is
done in the course of negotiation, rather than the issuance or any
16 A-1042-15T4
formal use of the process itself, which constitutes the tort."
Gambocz, supra, 102 N.J. Super. at 128 (quoting Prosser, supra).
We agree "maliciously threatening [misuse of] process in an
existing case could be as unfairly coercive as abusing process in
some more direct way." Hoffman, supra, 404 N.J. Super. at 432.
However, "[s]ome definite act or threat not authorized by the
process, or aimed at an objective not legitimate in the use of the
process, is required." Gambocz, supra, 102 N.J. Super. at 128
(quoting Prosser, supra). Here, the other counsel's letter, like
Arseneault's previous "public undressing" letter, made no definite
threat the Process would be actively misused. See Baglini v.
Lauletta, 338 N.J. Super. 282, 296-97 (App. Div. 2001).
Thus, we affirm the motion court's dismissal of count one for
failure to state a claim for malicious abuse of process against
Arseneault. However, we do not agree with the court's assertions
that "the claim exists almost entirely against Debra," that
Arseneault's alleged actions were "proper," "consistent with his
responsibilities as Debra's attorney," and "taken in the normal
course of his duties," or that he "acted appropriately in
representing his client." The complaint alleged Arseneault acted,
knowing the Process was based on false statements, for the ulterior
motive of extorting money from Michael and his family. Although
the complaint did not adequately allege the actions were an abuse
17 A-1042-15T4
of process, they "may have been otherwise tortious or violated
ethical standards." Ruberton, supra, 280 N.J. Super. at 132.
B.
Count two charges Arseneault with libel by providing the WSJ
with the false statements in Debra's certification and the exhibits
that "(1) Michael had pushed, shoved, and grabbed her, causing her
to fall down the stairs and (2) Michael had thereby committed a
'felony,' 'an aggravated assault,' or other crime."
"'[L]ibel is defamation by written or printed words.'" W.J.A.
v. D.A., 210 N.J. 229, 238 (2012) (citation omitted). "[T]he
elements of the cause of action for defamation [are] '(1) the
assertion of a false and defamatory statement concerning another;
(2) the unprivileged publication of that statement to a third
party; and (3) fault amounting at least to negligence by the
publisher.'" Leang v. Jersey City Bd. of Educ., 198 N.J. 557, 585
(2009) (citation omitted).
The motion court dismissed Michael's libel claim because of
his "inability to demonstrate fault." However, on a motion to
dismiss under Rule 4:6-2(e), "the [c]ourt is not concerned with
the ability of plaintiffs to prove the allegation contained in the
complaint[.]" Green, supra, 215 N.J. at 452. Michael's complaint
adequately alleged that "Arseneault made and published each of
these written accusations and statements against Michael with
18 A-1042-15T4
actual knowledge that they were false, with reckless disregard of
their falsity, or with negligence in failing to ascertain the
falsity of the statement before communicating it."
The motion court found Arseneault "had no reason not to
believe the sworn affidavit of a Police Officer, or numerous other
sworn certifications that formed the basis of his belief."
However, the complaint did not concede Arseneault believed Debra's
statements were true.
To the contrary, the complaint alleged "Arseneault was aware
that Debra's accusations against Michael set forth in . . . Debra's
Certification were false." The complaint further alleged
"Arseneault knew that Michael's arrest and the issuance of the
criminal complaint-arrest warrant and of the Domestic Violence TRO
were based on Debra's accusations that she had fallen down the
stairs as a result of Michael pushing, shoving, and grabbing her,
and that those allegations were false." The complaint alleged
Arseneault was aware Debra repeatedly made admissions
contradicting her accusations, but sent her contrary accusations
to the WSJ without advising the WSJ of her admissions.
The motion court erred in finding facts contrary to the
complaint's allegations. On a motion for failure to state a claim,
the "inquiry is limited to examining the legal sufficiency of the
facts alleged on the face of the complaint." Printing Mart-
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Morristown, supra, 116 N.J. at 746. The court was required to
"'accept as true the facts alleged in the complaint.'" Maeker v.
Ross, 219 N.J. 565, 569 (2014) (citation omitted).
The motion court further found Arseneault's supposed
"reliance on sworn affidavits was reasonable." The court noted
the "New Jersey Disciplinary Rules of Conduct permit a lawyer who
is participating in the litigation of a matter to state information
contained in a public record unless the lawyer knows, or reasonably
should know his statement will likely materially prejudice the
proceeding," citing R.P.C. 3.6(a), (b)(2). However, the complaint
alleged Arseneault knew the information in Debra's certifications
and the exhibits was false.
Nothing in the Rules of Professional Conduct states that it
is ethical for a lawyer to publicize as true statements the lawyer
knows to be false.3 Indeed, the ethical rules "include reasonable
restrictions upon [attorneys'] extrajudicial speech to discourage
and prevent extraneous matters from being insinuated" which "could
3
Under the Rules, lawyers may not knowingly "offer evidence that
the lawyer knows to be false," R.P.C. 3.3(a)(4), or "counsel or
assist a witness to testify falsely," R.P.C. 3.4(b). Moreover,
lawyers may not knowingly "(1) make a false statement of material
fact or law to a third person; or (2) fail to disclose a material
fact to a third person when disclosure is necessary to avoid
assisting a criminal or fraudulent act by a client." R.P.C.
4.1(a).
20 A-1042-15T4
divert the search for truth." In re Hinds, 90 N.J. 604, 625 (1982)
(discussing R.P.C. 3.6's predecessor, D.R. 7-107).
In any event, R.P.C. 3.6 is no defense to tortious conduct.
Nor was Michael required "to make out a violation of the New Jersey
Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct," as the motion court
stated. Like the ABA model rules, New Jersey's ethical "[r]ules
are designed to provide guidance to lawyers and to provide a
structure for regulating conduct through disciplinary agencies.
They are not designed to be a basis for civil liability." Baxt
v. Liloia, 155 N.J. 190, 197 (1998) (quoting Model Rules of
Professional Conduct, Scope (Am. Bar Ass'n 1992)). Similarly,
"state disciplinary codes are not designed to establish standards
for civil liability." Id. at 202.
Arseneault argues Debra's statements in the documents he
submitted with his motion to dismiss establish her accusations
were true. "In evaluating motions to dismiss, courts consider
'allegations in the complaint, exhibits attached to the complaint,
matters of public record, and documents that form the basis of a
claim.'" Banco Popular N. Am. v. Gandi, 184 N.J. 161, 183 (2005)
(citation omitted). Arseneault cites Debra's certification, the
officer's probable cause affidavit, and the TRO transcript, which
were all referenced in the complaint as bases for Michael's claim.
"[A] court may consider documents specifically referenced in the
21 A-1042-15T4
complaint 'without converting the motion into one for summary
judgment.'" Myska v. N.J. Mfrs. Ins. Co., 440 N.J. Super. 458,
482 (App. Div. 2015) (citation omitted), appeal dismissed, 224
N.J. 523 (2016).
However, the complaint alleged Debra's statements in those
documents were false. In the TRO transcript, Debra claimed Michael
"was pushing and shoving," "grabbing me and pushing me," and
physically "grabbing me on my arms," face, and shoulders, causing
her to lose her balance and fall. The probable-cause affidavit
related Debra's statements that Michael "grabbed and pushed her,
causing her to lose her balance and fall down the stairs." Debra's
certification said Michael "physically pushed and shoved me,"
"continued to grab my arms and shake and shove me, causing me to
lose my balance" and fall.
Arseneault argues Debra's statements in the documents were
consistent with her later "admissions" that Michael did not push
her or lay a hand on her. To the contrary, a fact finder could
find Debra's accusations in the documents were inconsistent with
her later admissions, and were thus "'false and defamatory.'"
Leang, supra, 198 N.J. at 585 (citation omitted). On a motion
under Rule 4:6-2(e), Michael is "entitled to every reasonable
inference of fact." Printing Mart-Morristown, supra, 116 N.J. at
746.
22 A-1042-15T4
We reject the motion court's reasoning for dismissing the
libel claim raised in count two, and reverse. The court also
dismissed counts three and four primarily based on the same
reasoning. We similarly reject that reasoning as to counts three
and four, and now consider the court's secondary reasons for
dismissing those counts.
C.
In count three, Michael claimed Arseneault invaded his
privacy by portraying him in a false light when he provided to the
WSJ documents containing Debra's accusations that he had
"physically abused his wife, causing her to fall down a flight of
stairs, and was, therefore, guilty of domestic violence and a
crime."
A defendant commits false-light invasion of privacy when he
gives publicity to a matter concerning another
that places the other before the public in a
false light [if]
. . . .
(a) the false light in which the other
was placed would be highly offensive to
a reasonable person, and
(b) the actor had knowledge of or acted
in reckless disregard as to the falsity
of the publicized matter and the false
light in which the other would be placed.
[Romaine v. Kallinger, 109 N.J. 282, 294
(1988) (quoting Restatement, supra, § 652E);
23 A-1042-15T4
accord Durando v. Nutley Sun & N. Jersey Media
Grp., Inc., 209 N.J. 235, 249 (2012).]
The motion court's secondary reason for dismissing count
three was that "the publicity element of the false light claim is
absent when the matter was previously publicized." However, no
New Jersey case makes prior publication a defense to publicizing
a matter portraying someone in a false light. Neither the court
nor Arseneault cited any authority for such a defense.
The Restatement, supra, contains no prior-publication defense
for publicity portraying a person in a false light. It simply
provides that publicity "means that the matter is made public, by
communicating it to the public at large, or to so many persons
that the matter must be regarded as substantially certain to become
one of public knowledge." Id. § 652D comment a; see id. § 652E
comment a. "[A]ny publication in a newspaper or a magazine, even
of small circulation, or in a handbill distributed to a large
number of persons, or any broadcast over the radio, or statement
made in an address to a large audience, is sufficient to give
publicity within the meaning of the term as it is used in" those
sections. Restatement, supra, § 652D cmt. a.
We need not decide whether there is a prior-publication
defense to false-light invasion of privacy. Even if prior
publication could be a defense, there was no basis in the complaint
24 A-1042-15T4
for the motion court's "finding that the facts were previously
published." Thus, it could not be a proper basis for dismissal
under Rule 4:6-2(e). See Printing Mart-Morristown, supra, 116
N.J. at 746.
The motion court referenced an article in The Star-Ledger.
This apparently referred to a January 7, 2014 article in The Star-
Ledger, which Arseneault attached to his motion to dismiss
Michael's complaint. However, the article was not referenced in
the complaint, was not a basis of Michael's claims, and was not a
"public record." Cf. Banco Popular, supra, 184 N.J. at 183.
Arseneault argues the article became a public record because it
was attached to a brief Debra submitted in the divorce case.
However, "[b]riefs are not filed in the technical sense," "do not
become part of the docketed case file," and are "not an acceptable
vehicle for the presentation of facts or documents not of record."
Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment on R. 1:6-
5 (2017).
"If, on a motion to dismiss based on [Rule 4:6-2(e)], matters
outside the pleading are presented to and not excluded by the
court, the motion shall be treated as one for summary judgment and
disposed of as provided by R. 4:46[.]" R. 4:6-2. Summary judgment
was inappropriate here.
25 A-1042-15T4
Even if prior publication could be a defense to portraying a
person in a false light, the prior publication was in a Newark
newspaper, and essentially repeated only the allegations in the
probable-cause affidavit. By contrast, the complaint alleged
Arseneault sent the WSJ not only the probable-cause affidavit but
also Debra's certification and the exhibits, including the
criminal complaint-arrest warrant and the TRO. The complaint
further alleged that, based on Arseneault's disclosure, the WSJ
published an online article which was "picked up by numerous other
publications, including, without limitation, Philly.com, the Star
Ledger, the New York Post, Sports Illustrated, Vikings Territory,
and Mail Online," and that they all published additional details.
The motion court took the position that "[i]n no way does the
[relative] size [of the circulation] of The Star-Ledger prohibit
the court from finding that the facts were previously published."
The court also asserted "that the news was published by a 'local
New Jersey newspaper' is of no consequence," and that the WSJ
"published facts not in The Star-Ledger article has no effect."
We disagree. Even if prior publication could be a defense,
knowingly or recklessly causing publicity reaching many additional
people placing someone in a false light could result in additional
damages and give rise to a cause of action against the person
causing the additional publicity. Otherwise, a person could take
26 A-1042-15T4
false matter someone had "posted in the window of [a] shop," and
knowingly and recklessly give the false matter widespread
publicity to many millions in newspapers, magazines, or websites
of national or global circulation, without liability. See
Restatement, supra, § 652D cmt. a, illus. 2. Moreover, the
relative circulations of The Star-Ledger, the WSJ, Sports
Illustrated, the New York Post, and the other websites mentioned
in the complaint are not before us. That itself is sufficient to
prevent summary judgment.4
Summary judgment may be granted only if "there is no genuine
issue as to any material fact challenged." R. 4:46-2(c). Because
of this "inadequate record, we are unable to conclude that there
is no genuine issue as to any material fact." Lyons v. Township
of Wayne, 185 N.J. 426, 437 (2005). Moreover, "when viewed in the
light most favorable to the non-moving party," the evidence was
not "'so one-sided that [Arseneault] must prevail as a matter of
law.'" Brill v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 142 N.J. 520, 523,
4
Thus, we need not resolve whether the additional facts disclosed
by Arseneault to the WSJ and subsequently publicized were
themselves sufficient to cause additional damages and give rise
to a cause of action. However, we note that "a fundamental
requirement of the false light tort is that the disputed publicity
be in fact false, or else 'at least have the capacity to give rise
to a false public impression as to the plaintiff.'" Romaine,
supra, 109 N.J. at 294 (citation omitted).
27 A-1042-15T4
533 (1995) (citation omitted). Thus, the court erred in dismissing
count three.
D.
In count four, Michael claimed Arseneault invaded his privacy
by public disclosure of a private fact as follows: "At least some
of the facts Arseneault disclosed to the Wall Street Journal,
including, without limitation, Michael's Social Security Number,
were actually private." Michael was "forced to take protective
measures because of the possible attempt of an imposter to use his
social security number to open credit cards in his name." As a
"result of Arseneault's disclosure of such private facts, Michael
has suffered and will continue to suffer substantial pecuniary and
other harm and damages."
The complaint adequately set forth a cause of action for
invasion of privacy by publicizing a private fact.
One who gives publicity to a matter concerning
the private life of another is subject to
liability to the other for invasion of [the
other's] privacy, if the matter publicized is
of a kind that (a) would be highly offensive
to a reasonable person, and (b) is not of
legitimate concern to the public.
[Castro v. NYT Television, 384 N.J. Super.
601, 610-11 (App. Div. 2006) (quoting
Restatement, supra, § 652D); see G.D. v.
Kenny, 205 N.J. 275, 309 (2011).]
28 A-1042-15T4
The motion court's secondary reason for dismissing the
private-fact count was that Michael "did not set forth facts in
support of that claim, and any potential damages would be pure
speculation." However, Michael's allegation that he had to take
protective measures and suffered pecuniary damages was sufficient
under the lenient standard of Rule 4:6-2(e). See Printing Mart-
Morristown, supra, 116 N.J. at 760 (finding an allegation
"plaintiffs lost any gain from" a job sufficiently alleged
damages). The issue of damages "should await the development of
a record," and thus "we will not permit the complaint to be
stricken at this juncture." Id. at 770.
Arseneault argues there can be no liability because the joint
tax return bearing Michael's unredacted social security number was
an exhibit to the certification Debra filed in the divorce action.
Generally, "there is no liability for giving publicity to facts
about the plaintiff's life that are matters of public record, such
as . . . the pleadings that [the plaintiff] has filed in a lawsuit."
Dzwonar, supra, 348 N.J. Super. at 178 (emphasis omitted) (quoting
Restatement, supra, § 652D cmt. b). However, the Rules of Court
may have excluded the tax return from public access. See R. 1:39-
3(d)(1), 5:5-2(d); see also Pressler & Verniero, supra, cmt. 5 on
R. 5:5-2. The rules also provide a social security number is "a
confidential personal identifier" that generally may not be set
29 A-1042-15T4
forth "in any document or pleading submitted to the court." R.
1:38-7(a), (b). "[I]f the record is one not open to public
inspection, as in the case of income tax returns, it is not public,
and there is an invasion of privacy when it is made so."
Restatement, supra, § 652D cmt. b.
Arseneault contends he relied on Debra's other divorce
counsel to redact the social security numbers. The motion court
found Arseneault's "reliance on the requirement that attorneys not
set forth confidential personal identifiers in any document or
pleading submitted to the court was similarly reasonable in shaping
his belief that forwarding the records to WSJ was not a violation
of the Rules of Professional Conduct." However, nothing in the
complaint suggested that Arseneault relied on that requirement or
other counsel, or had that belief. Moreover, a violation of the
ethics rules was not a required element of invasion of property
by publicity of private facts.
As Michael's allegations concerning his social security
number was sufficient to state a claim, the motion court erred in
dismissing count four.5
E.
5
Thus, we need not address Michael's argument that the TRO was
also private information under R. 1:38-3(d)(9).
30 A-1042-15T4
Count five alleged Arseneault and Debra conspired to commit
the torts alleged in counts one, two, three, and four. The motion
court ruled that "[a]s a result of Counts One through Four being
dismissed, Count Five – civil conspiracy – is DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE on the premise that there is no valid underlying tort
to substantiate the claim." As we have reversed the dismissal of
counts two, three, and four, there are underlying torts which
Arseneault allegedly conspired to commit. Accordingly, we reverse
the dismissal of count five. See State, Dep't of Treasury, Div.
of Inv. ex rel. McCormac v. Qwest Commc'ns Int'l, Inc., 387 N.J.
Super. 469, 486 (App. Div. 2006).
Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further
proceedings. We do not retain jurisdiction.
31 A-1042-15T4