Yvonne A. K. Johnson V James P. Ryan

FILED
MARQH i9. ears
In the Office of the Cierh of Court
WA State Conrt of Appeals, fiivision Ell
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE
YVONNE AK. JOHNSON, ) No. 318374-111
Appellant, ;
V. ; PUBLISHED OPINION
JANIES P. RYAN, 3
Respondent. 3
LAWRENCE-«BERREY, J . w James Ryan engaged in vitriolic Internet biogging
against Yvonne Johnson. Johnson sued Ryan for defamation and tortious interference
with business expectancy. Ryan defended the suit, in part, by asserting the anti-SLAPP
statute.1 As permitted by that statute, Ryan filed a prediscovery motion to strike. He
argued that Johnson’s claims should be dismissed because his speech was protected
speech in that his attacks against Johnson were matters of public concern. The trial court
agreed and dismissed Johnson’s claims. We hoid that Johnson’s blogging was primarily
for personal concern, not public concern, and reverse the dismissal of Johnson’s claims.
1 Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. RCW 4.24.510.
No. 31837~l~lli
Johnson v. Ryan
FACTS
As discussed later, we accept the facts and all reasonable inferences in the light
most favorable to Yvonne Johnson, the party resisting the motion to strike.
The Spokane Civic Theatre (the Theatre) is a not-for-profit, performing arts theatre
located in Spokane. The Theatre is a private foundation receiving support from private
donors and operating with an endowment. On a donation web page, the Theatre notes:
Revenue from programming covers oniy 50 percent of our operating costs.
We depend on the support and commitment of our community to make up
the essential difference.
Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 29.
In 2005, the Theatre hired plaintiff Yvonne Johnson. as its executive artistic
director. Johnson is a highly acclaimed theatre veteran who was selected from scores of
applicants. At the time of her hiring, the Theatre was on the cusp of financial ruin. By
2010, despite the economic recession, Johnson had doubled revenue for the Theatre. This
economic feat was accomplished through a significant increase in ticket sales, expansion
of the Theatre’s training camp for children, and numerous fundraising endeavors.
Johnson’s financial. acumen and ingenuity allowed the Theatre to expand its full-time
staff by several positions, inciuding a full-time music director.
On August 19, 2010, Johnson hired defendant James Ryan as full-time music
No. 31837-l-Hl
Johnson v. Ryan
“PUBLIC PARTICIPATION” UNDER ANTI-SLAPP STATUTE
RCW 4.24.525(2) identities the communications protected by the statute.
Subsections (a) through (c) involve communications to government. Subsections (d)
and (e) involve speech in other contexts. RCW 4.24.525 reads, in relevant part:
(2) This section applies to any claim, however characterized, that is
based on an action involving public participation and petition. As used in
this section, an “action invoiving public participation and petition” includes:
(d) Any oral statement made, or written statement or other document
submitted, in a place open to the public or a public forum in connection
with an. issue ofpublic concern; or
(e) Any other lawful conduct in furtherance of the exercise of the
constitutionai right of free speech in connection with an issue of public
concern.
(Emphasis added). Because this case concerns “written statements” instead of
“other lawful conduct,” our review of the lower court’s dismissal is limited to
RCW 4.24.525(2)(d). We, therefore, next examine the “public forum” and “public
concern” requirements of RCW 4.24.525(2)(d).
Pubiic Forum. Courts have readily found that the Internet is a public forum.
ComputerXpress, Inc. v. Jackson, 93 Cai. App. 4th 993, 113 Cal. Rptr. 2d 625 (2001).
Hate/1 v. Superior Court, 80 Cal. App. 4th 170, 20l, 94 Cal. Rptr. 2d 453 (2000) noted
that lnternet communications are “classical forum communications.”
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No. 318374-13
Johnson v. Ryan
Public Concern. Because the California anti—SLAPP statute serves as a model for
the Washington Act, some authorities have applied the borrowed statute rule to interpret
the Washington Act. See Alaska Structures, Inc. v. Headland, 180 Wash. App. 591, 5.99, 323
P.3d i082 (2014); Fielder v. Sterling Park Homeowners Ass ’14, 914 F. Supp. 2d. 1222,
l23l n.4 (WD. Wa. 2012); Aronson 1). Dog Eat Dog Films, Inc, 738 F. Supp. 2d i104,
i. i 10 (W1). Wa. 2010). “Under the borrowed statute rule, courts find that when the
legislature borrows a statute from another jurisdiction, it implicitly adopts that
jurisdiction’s judicial interpretations of the statute.” Wyrwich, supra, at 690. However,
California’s statute uses the phrase, “public interest,” whereas Washington’s statute uses.
" the phrase, “public concern.” “[there the iegisiature modifies or ignores a provision of
the borrowed statute, it implicitly rejects that provision and its corresponding case law.”
Id. “The Washington State Supreme Court has found that when the legislature deviates
from a model act, it is ‘bound to conclude” that the deviation cwas purposeful’ and
evidenced an intent to reject those aspects of the model act.” Id. (citing State 12. Jackson,
137 Wash. 2d 712, 723, 976 P.2d £229 0999)). We also note that both Washington and
federal authorities have defined “pubiic concern” in the context of defamation law.
Accordingly, when determining whether speech or conduct is of “public concern,”
Washington courts should focus on well~developed Washington and federal decisional
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No. 31837~1~111
Johnson 12. Ryan
law rather than. California decisions.2
Speech is of public concern when it can “‘ be fairly considered as relating to any
matter ofpolitical, social, or other concern to the community.” ” Davis, 180 Wn. App. at
531 (quoting Snyder 12. Phelps, 562 US. 443, 131 S. Ct. 1207, 1216, 179 L. Ed. 2d 172(20] 1)). For purposes of analyzing federal authorities, Alaska Structures quotes
Weinberg v. Feisel, 110 Cal. App. 4th 1122, 1132, 2 Cal. Rptr 3d 385 (2003):
First, “public interest” does not equate with mere curiosity. (Time,
Inc. v, Firestone, [424 US. 448, 454—55, 9-6 S. Ct. 958, 47 L. Ed. 2d
154 (1976)]; Briscoe 12. Reader ’s Digest Association Inc, (1971) 4
Cal. 3d 529, 537 [93 Ca1.R.ptr. 866, 483 P.2d 34].) Second, a matter
of public interest should be something of concern to a substantial
number of people, (Dan (E: Bradstreet v. Greenmoss Builders, [472
US. 749, 762, 105 S. Ct. 2939, 86 L. Ed .2d 593 (1985)].) Thus, a
matter of concern to the speaker and a relatively small, specific
audience is not a matter of public interest. (Ibioi; Hutchinson v.
Proxmire (1979) 443 US. 111, 135 [61 L.Ed.2d 411, 431, 99 S.Ct.
2675].) Third, there should be some degree of closeness between the
challenged statements and the asserted public interest. (Connick v.
Myers (1983) 461 US. 138, 148-149 [75 L.Ed..2d 708, 720-721, 103
S.Ct. 1684]); the assertion of a broad and amorphous public interest
is not sufficient. (Hutchinson v. Proxmire, supra, 443 US. at p. 135
[61 L.Ed.2d at p. 431]). Fourth, the focus ofthe speaker’s conduct
should be the public interest rather than a mere effort “to gather
2 In a very recent decision interpreting RCW 4.24.525, our Supreme Court stated
that the Washington and California statutes had similarities but also “significant
differences,” the legislative purpose of the Washington and California statutes is
different, and “[o]ur legislature thus phrased its findings more narrowly than
California’s.” Henne v. City onakima, 341 P.3d 284, 28.9 (2015).
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Johnson V. Ryan
33
ammunition for another round of {private} controversy . . . .
(Connie/c v. Myers, supra, 461 US. at p. 148 [75 L.Ed.2d atp. 721].)
Finally, “those charged with defamation cannot, by their own
conduct, create their own defense by making the claimant a public
figure.” (Hutchinson v. Proxmire, supra, 443 US. at p. BS [61
L.Ed.2d at p. 43 i].)
Alaska Structures, 180 Wn. App. at 602-03.
Our own courts have discussed the meaning of “public concern” in the context of
free speech rights. In White v. State, 13.1 Wn.2d l, 929 P.2d 396 (1997), the court heid
that the challenged speech was a matter of public concern. There, Judy White was a
secretary/ clerk typist at a state—run nursing home. Id. at 45. After being so employed for
several years, the nursing home hired Evelyn Blanchard to be the director of nursing
services. 1d. at 5. The working relationship was often strained between White and
Blanchard. in £988, a resident of the home became very disruptive and behaved in a way
that might harm himself and others. Id. Eventually, Bianchard directed that the resident
be placed in a restraint jacket. Id. T he jacket was in place for a coupie hours until the
home’s medical director refused to Sign an order permitting its use. Uitimately, White
filed an incident report alleging that Bianchard committed patient abuse in authorizing the
use of the jacket. Id. at 6.- After an outside investigation, the allegation was dismissed.
Soon. after, White was transferred to a different facility. Unbeknownst to her, the transfer
had been contemplated. months before the incident report. White sued for wrongful
l4
No. 31837—i—Hi
Johnson 1). Ryan
transfer. The trial court granted the home’s summary judgment motion. On appeal, our
high court affirmed the dismissal on causation grounds. Prior to reaching causation,
however, the court held:
Whether an empioyec’s speech addresses a matter of public concern
is determined by the content, form and context of the statement, as revealed
by the whole record. Conniek, 461 U .S. at 147-48. Content is the most
important factor.
The content of White’s speecthuspected abuse of a nursing home
patientwinvoives an issue of public concern. The public concern over
proper care of vulnerable nursing home patients is reflected in RCW
70.124, a statute which requires nursing home empioyees to report alleged
abuse or mistreatment of nursing home patients. The fact that an
investigation finds the report of suspected abuse to be without merit does
not affect the importance of the content to the public.
The record shows that White and Bianchard did not get along and
that White criticized Bianchard on a number of occasions. . . . The fact that
White may have had a personal interest in reporting the incident does not
diminish the concern the public would. have in this matter.
Id. at ii-i3 (citations omitted).
In Alpine Industries Computers, Inc. v. Cowles Publishing Co, 1&4 Wn. App, 371,
57 P.3d 1178 (2002), this court held that the chailenged Speech was a matter of public
concern. There, a reporter for the Spokesman—Review wrote a story about a recent federai
court decision favoring Microsoft over a locai company, Alpine Industries Computers,
inc. The facts from the story came from the federal court tile and primarily was based
upon the judge’s memorandum opinion. [01. at 376. The gist of the story was that
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No. 31837-l-lll
Johnson v. Ryan
Microsoft obtained a large judgment against Alpine for selling pirated software and that
Alpinels owner had acknowledged that he had wrongfully sold counterfeit software. Id.
at 374—75. The company brought suit against the newspaper’s owner for defamation. In
determining whether the story was of “public concern,” we wrote:
Whether an allegedly defamatory statement pertains to a matter of
public concern depends on the content, form, and context of the statement
as shown by the entire record. Dim & Bradstreet, 472 US. at 761. Here,
the challenged story relates to a court decision resolving an intellectual
property dispute between a major software manufacturer and a local retailer.
Viewed narrowly, the story pertains to a private dispute between two
business entities. In a broader context, however, the dispute touches on a
matter of public importance, software piracy. The public concern is
heightened by the fact that Alpine apparently sold counterfeit software to
the general consumer. In an age where the use of personal computers is
widespread, the retail distribution of pirated software is a matter of acute
importance to general consumers. This is a matter where the First
Amendment plays a role in ensuring the free flow of information to the
public. Accordingly, the Dun (Si: Bradstreet factors indicate the Alpine case
was a matter of public concern deserving of heightened protection.
Id. at 393-94 (citation omitted). Other cases where we held that the challenged speech
involved a matter of public concern include Davis, 180 Wn. App. at 530 (Because
nonviolent boycotts are protected by the First Amendment, because the boycott was a
form of protest of America’s role in resolving the Middle East conflict, and because the
plaintiff sought the remedy of injunctive relief, the speech was protected under
RCW 4.24.525); and Sprarr v. Toff, 180 Wash. App. 620, 632, 324 P.3d 707 (20%) (Former
16
No. 318374—111
Johnson v. Ryan
supervisor’s aileged defamatory statements against coworker were public concern
because the statements, made in connection with his political campaign, could fairly be
considered as reiating to a matter of politicai, social, or other concern to the community).
In contrast, in Tyner v. Department ofSocz'dl and Health Services (DSHS), 137
Wash. App. 545, 154 P.3d 920 (2007), we held that the chalienged speech did not involve a
matter ofpubiic concern. There, Paula Tyner was an administrator for a DSHS facility
that cared for adults with developmental disabilities. Id. at 552. in the course of her
employment, Tyner investigated an employee’s sexual harassment complaint. Id. at 552—
53. Later, human resources directed that the complaint be investigated further by a
person a step above Tyner’s rank. Id. at 553. Tyner commented that the complaint
should not be forwarded to her supervisor, Jody Piiarski, because Tyner believed Pilarski
would not do a thorough job. Id. Human resources disagreed and assigned the
investigation to Pilarski. Id. During the course of this investigation, Pilarski received
numerous compiaints that Tyner had created a hostile work environment. Id. at 553~54.
As a result of these complaints, Tyner was reassigned to region 5 headquarters in
Tacoma. Id. at 554. Due to budget cuts, Tyner’s position was eliminated and she was
given different job duties at a different faciiity. Tyner sued. in her suit, Tyner claimed
that she was retaiiated against for exercising free speech; specificaliy, her comment that
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No. 318374—111
Johnson v. Ryan
her supervisor should not be allowed to investigate the employee complaint. Id. at 555.
She asserted that her comment addressed a matter of public concern because it involved a
sexual harassment issue. Id. at 557. In rejecting her argument, we stated:
in determining whether an employee[’s speech is of public concern],
we examine several factors, including the content, form, and context of the
speech in light ofthc entire record. Cannicki, 46}. US. at 147-48]. The
speaker is intent is also afaci‘onw-~“[w]as the employee acting as an
aggrieved employee, attempting to rectify problems in the employee’s
working environment, or was he or she acting as a concerned citizen
bringing a wrong to light?” Edwards [12. Dep ’i 0fTransp., 66 Wri. App.
552, 560, 832 P.2d 1332 (1992)].
. . . Tyner’s request that Pilarski not investigate [the sexual
harassment] allegations . . . based on Tyner’s opinion that Pilarski did not
do a. thorough job . . . expressed only her personal dissatisfaction.
inyner’s comment were construed as a matter of public concern,
any speech even tangentially related to a public issue could satisfy the
public concern requirement for First Amendment protection. This would
allow even routine criticism of supervisors, internal office decisions, and
policies to be categorized as matters of public interest, a scenario we
cautioned against in Wilson [12. State, 84 Wash. App. 332, 342, 929 P.2d 448(1996)].
Id. at 557—59 (emphasis added) (some alterations in original).
in Dillon, we find further support for the proposition that speech that only
tangentially implicates a public issue is not a matter of public concern:
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No. 31837—l—lll
Johnson v, Ryan
[W]hen the allegations referring to arguabiy protected activity are
only incidental to a cause of action based essentially on nonprotected
activity, collateral allusions to protected activity should not subject
the cause of action to the anti-SLAPP statute.
Dillon, 179 Wn. App. at 72 (quoting Martinez 12. Metabolzfe Int’l, Inc, 113 Cal. App. 4th
18}, 188, 6 Cal. Rptr. 3d 494 (2003)).
in this case, we must construe all evidence and inferences in the light most
favorable to Johnson, the party resisting the summary dismissal of her defamation claim.
in doing so, we must determine whether the content, form, and context of the speech are
primarily of a private or primarily of a public concern. As noted in Tyne)”, we may also
examine the speaker’s intent or motive. By examining the primary content, form, and
context, we better achieve the legislative purpose of balancing the rights of both litigants
so that the expedited summary process weeds out only those defamation claims brought
for the abusive primary purpose of chilling valid free public Speech. Conversely, were we
to align ourselves with the dissent’s California approach and examine whether the speech
had merely a “connection” to a matter of public concern, we would be ignoring this stated
legislative purpose.
Here, the primary content ol’Ryan’s speech is a lengthy and tedious chronology of
a private dispute between himself and Johnson, his former boss. The primary intent of the
speech is not some lofty public good, hut merely establishing that his employer was
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No. 31837-1411
Johnson v. Ryan
wrong in firing him. The form of the speech is a blog, useful for conveying either private
or public concerns. The context of the speech arises out of a private employment dispute.
Ryan primarin complains about how he was wrongfuliy terminated, what he has endured
through various agency and court actions, and his desire for “serious money.” The mere
fact that these dominant themes are occasionaiiy interspersed with collateral issues cf
protected public speech~«~e.g., the executive director of a theatre that depends on public
participation and donations has a tyrannicai management style—is not enough to
transform a private dispute into a matter of public concern. In short, the content and
context of Ryan’s speech is primarily a matter of his own private concern and, therefore,
is not protected public speech under RCW 4.24.525.
ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS
Johnson seeks an award of reasonable attorney fees, litigation costs, and special
damages 0f$10,000 under RCW 4.24.525(6)(a). RCW 4.24.525(6)(b) permits such an
award if the court finds that a special motion to strike is frivolous or brought solely to
cause unnecessary delay. Aithough we disagree with Ryan’s claim oi’pubiic concern, we
do not find that his motion was frivolous nor do we find it was brought to cause
unnecessary delay. We therefore reject Johnson’s request.
20
No. 31837-1411
Johnson v. Ryan
director for the Theatre. Ryan moved with his family from another state to Spokane. He
understood the job had a threewyear term.
Two months after the hiring, Johnson terminated Ryan’s employment at the
direction of the Theatre’s hoard. Prior to Ryan’s termination, the Theatre received an
anonymous e-mail disclosing the nonmonogamous nature of Ryan’s marriage, as weii as
Ryan’s use of graphically nude photographs and texts while engaging in oniine sex
solicitations. The Theatre also discovered that Ryan noted that he was employed by the
Theatre and used his Theatre employee photograph in advertising for sex. According to
Johnson, the Theatre learned that Ryan initiated some of his sexual soiicitations while
backstage on Theatre premises.
Johnson wrote a iengthy termination. letter to Ryan. In summary, the letter noted
that he was being terminated not because of his swinger lifestyie but because his coupling
of his lifestyle with his empioyment at the Theatre had the potentiai for offending parts of
the Eocal community and thus reducing the Theatre’s donations. Mr. Ryan admits that he
posted a discreet listing on Craigslist for sex, although he denies that it included any
information that identified his name or his employer. Rather, he contends that all
identifying information was forwarded to the Theatre by an anonymous e—maiier, who in
turn had received it from someone Mr, Ryan had met through Craigslist.
No. 31837-1411
Johnson v. Ryan
In conclusion, we reverse the triai court’s order striking Ms. Johnson’s Claims. We
reinstate her ciaims and remand this case for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion.
_(Awrin€fi. "’ )0}
Lawrence—Berrey, J. j
I CONCUR:
in
Siddowasz, (3.1.
21
No. 31837—1411
SIDDOWAY, (3.]. (concurring) — “[T1he individual’s right to the protection of his
good name “reflects no more than our basic concept of the essential dignity and worth of
every human beingwa concept at the root of any decent system of ordered liberty.” ”
Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc, 418 US. 323, 341, 94 S. Ct. 2997, 4} L. Ed. 2d 789 (i974)
(quoting Rosenbmrr v. Baer, 383 US. 75, 92, 86 S. Ct. 669, 15 L. Ed. 2d 597 (1966)
(Stewart, 3 ., concurring)).
Had James Ryan responded to Yvonne Johnson’s perceived wrongs against him
by throwing a rock through her Window or breaking her nose, she would have had a right
to complete redress. insteadmif the aliegations of her complaint are provedwhe found a
more brutally effective form of retribution: destroying her professional reputation.
Every defamation case presents an opportunity for us to reaffirm the importance of
free speech to a democratic society. Here, a plaintiff ciaiming actual harm caused by
culpable falsehood has had her complaint dismissed at the inception of her case. It is
incumbent on us to consider the important interests she has at stake as well.
No. 3} 8374—111 e concurring
Johnson 1:. Ryan
I agree with most of the majority opinion. I write separately to emphasize two
matters that are important in construing the 2010 amendments to the anti-SLAPP statute.I
The first is that there is nothing in the statute or the legislature’s findings that
evinces a legislative intent to make substantive changes to the law of defamation. When
it comes to defamation claims, the iegisiature’s preamble to the 2010 legislation teiis us
that its intent was to enable defendants to extricate themselves at the earliest possibie
stage from a claim that is doomed from its inception, not to aiter a piaintift‘s right to
redress for defamatory falsehoods—ma right that arguably enjoys protection under article 1,
section 5 of the Washington Constitution.
Second, and more particularly, construing “pubiic concern” as broadiy as
California’s “public interest” standard wiii change our defamation law in a way that is
inconsistent with the legislature’s intent to “[s]trike a baiance between the rights of
persons to fiie lawsuits and to trial by jury and the right of persons to participate in
matters ofpublic concern.” LAWS OF 2010, ch. 118, § l(2)(a). It is critical, as the
majority opinion holds, that we construe “public concern” as an intentionai adoption of
the longstanding standard for identifying speech entitled to heightened First Amendment
protection. We should not look to cases construing California’s far broader “public
interest” standard, which is untethered to any vaiue of the speech that it protects.
1 Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. RCW 4.24.510.
No. 31837-l-lll w concurring
Johnson 1). Ryan
The constitutionalizaiion of defamation law
under the First Amendment already provides
significant protections for speech
Over the last 50 years, protections for Speech recognized under the First
Amendment have restricted the states” freedom to define and impose damages on
defamatory speech, transforming defamation law in ways that have consistently favored
defendants. Before New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 US. 254, 267, 84 S. Ct. 710, ll
L. Ed. 2d 686 (1964), once a plaintiff alleged statements constituting “libel per se” that
were of and. concerning her, a defendant’s only defense was to prove that his statements
were true. General damages would be presumed. In New York Times, the United States
Supreme Court concluded that applying the common law in favor of a public official
suing for defamation was akin to punishing seditious libel, in violation of the speaker’s
First Amendment rights. it held that a public official could not recover damages for a
defamatory falsehood relating to his official conduct “unless he proves that the statement
was made with “actual malice’——that is, with knowledge that it was false or with reckless
disregard of whether it was false or not.” 376 US. at 279-80. it also required that actual
malice be demonstrated with convincing clarity. Id. at 285—86.
In Garrison v. Louisiana, 379 U.S. 64, 74, 85 S. Ct. 209, 13 L. Ed. 2d 125 (1964),
which the Supreme Court decided later in 1964, the Court held that even though truth was
not a defense to criminal libel at comm on law (since a purpose of criminal libel was to
avert the possibility that even a truthfully maligned victim would breach the peace), true
No. 31837~l~1l1m concurring
Johnson 12. Ryan
statements could not constitutionally be the subject of either civil or criminal sanctions
where “discussion of public affairs” was concerned.
In Curtis Publishing Company v. Butts, 388 US. 130, 155, 87 S. Ct. 1975, 18 L.
Ed. 2d 1094 (1967), the Supreme Court extended the actual maiice standard to plaintiffs
who were “public figures” under ordinary tort rules. It characterized public figures as
“command[ing] sufficient continuing public interest and . . . sufficient access to the
means of counterargument to be able ‘to expose through discussion the falsehood and
fallacies’ of defamatory statements,” either based on the public figure’s “position aione”
or by “purposeful activity amounting to a thrusting of [one’s} personality into the ‘vortex’
of an important public controversy.” Id. at 155 (quoting Whitney 12. Cat, 274 US. 357,
377, 47 S. Ct. 641, 71 L. Ed. 1095 (1927) (Brandeis, 3., dissenting)).
1n Gerrz, the Court retooled an earlier approach2 and held that the proper
accommodation between the law of defamation and the freedoms protected by the First
Amendment required differentiating between public officials and public figures, on the
one hand, and private individuals, on the other. It held that the New York Times standard
“defines the level of constitutional protection appropriate to the context of defamation of
2 Gert: abrogated Rosenbloom v. Metromedia, Inc, 403 US. 29, 4445, 91 S. Ct.
1811, 29 L. Ed. 2d 296 (1971), in which a plurality had concluded that “the time has
come forthrightly to announce that the determinant whether the First Amendment applies
to state libel actions is whether the utterance involved concerns an issue of public or
general concern, albeit ieaving the delineation of the reach of that term to future cases.”
(Emphasis added).
No. 318374-111 — concurring
Johnsonv. Ryan
a public person.” Gertz, 418 US. at 342. But speaking ofa private individual, the Court
said:
He has relinquished no part ot‘his interest in the protection of his own good
name, and consequently he has a more compelling call on the courts for
redress of injury inflicted by defamatory falsehood. Thus, private
individuals are not only more vulnerable to injury than public officials and
public figures; they are also more deserving of recovery.
1d. at 345. Gerrz held that “so long as they do not impose Eiability without fault, the
States may define for themselves the appropriate standard of liability for a publisher or
broadcaster of defamatory falsehood injurious to a private individual.” Id. at 347. It also
held that the plaintiff in Gerrzma pubiic figurewmcouid not recover presumed damages
nor recover punitive damages unless the pubiication was made with actual inaiice. 1d. at
34960.
In Cox Broadcasting Corp. v. Conn, 420 US. 469, 491, 95 S. Ct. 1029, 43 L. Ed.
2d 328 (1975), the Supreme Court held that a state could not impose sanctions for the
accurate publication of the name of a rape victim obtained from judicial records
maintained in connection with a pubiic prosecution and which themselves were open to
public inspection.
in 198i, our own Supreme Court went beyond the United States Supreme Court,
holding that for “policy reasons, rooted in the First Amendment,” an “eariy testing of
plaintiff s evidence by a convincing clarity burden” was appropriate in all defamation
cases, as to all elements—even in cases involving private plaintiffs, if the offending
No. 3 i 837—i—IH ~ concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
pubtication addressed a matter of public concern. Mark 12. Seattle Times, 96 Wash. 2d 473,
487, 635 P.2d 1081 (1981). The viability ofthat hoiding is questionable in tight oftater
cases. See Herron 1/. Tribune Publ’g Co, 108 Wn.2d i62, 170—71, 736 P.2d 249(1987)
(appearing to tie summary judgment standard to the standard of proof at trial); Haueter v.
Cowles Pubi’g Co, 61 Wash. App. 572, 582, 811. P.2d 231 (1991) (concluding that
“[n]either the common law nor the First Amendment . . . requires proof of any element of
a defamation action, other than actual maiice, by evidence of convincing clarity”);
Richmond 1). Thompson, 130 Wash. 2d 368, 385—86, 922 P.2d 1343 (i996) (rejecting the
position that the First Amendment demands the application of a higher evidentiary
standard at the summary judgment stage); Mohr v. Gram, 153 Wash. 2d 812, 822 & nn. 7-8,
108 P.3d 768 (2005) (stating that “[ciase law is unciear as to whether a private plaintiff
facing a defense motion for summary judgment must make a prima facie showing of all
of the elements of defamation With convincing ciarity or by a preponderance of the
evidence,” and deferring ciarification “for another day”); Moi/2r, 153 Wn.2d at 833
(Chambers, J ., dissenting) (citing Mark’s conciusion that a private piaintiff resisting a
defense motion for summary judgment must establish a prima facie case by convincing
clarity as “the concession defamation law makes to the First Amendment”).
Returning to United States Supreme Court precedent, in a 1984 defamation action
brought by the Bose Corporation, the Court recognized a heightened standard for
appellate review in favor of defamation defendants, holding that “in cases raising First
No. 31837-44114 concurring
Johnson 12. Ryan
Amendment issues . . . an appellate court has an obligation to ‘make an independent
examination of the whole record’ in order to make sure that ‘the judgment does not
constitute a forbidden intrusion on the field of free expression.” Bose Corp. 1).
Consumers Union ofUnited States, Inc, 466 US. 485, 499, 104 S. Ct. 1949, 80 L. Ed. 2d
502 (3984) (quoting New York Times, 376 US. at 284-86).
in Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. v. Greenmoss Builders, Inc, 472 U.S. 749, 751, l05 S.
Ct. 2939, 86 L. Ed. 2d 593 (1985), a majority ofjustices reasoned that the plaintiff in
Gertz had been limited in the damages he could recover because the speech at issue had
involved a matter of pubiic concern. It held that where a defendant’s speech concerned a
private individual and a matter of private concern, states could allow plaintiffs to recover
presumed and punitive damages even absent a showing of actual malice. Id. at 761.
in Anderson 12. Liberty Lobby, Inc, 477 US. 242, 254, l06 S. Ct. 2505, 9i L. Ed.
2d 202 (l986), the Supreme Court held that when ruling on a surnmaryiudgment in any
civil case in which the “clear and convincing” standard applies, the trial court must bear
in mind “the actual quantum and quality of proof necessary to support liability.” Because
Liberty Lobby was an action for defamation by a public figure, the actual malice standard
applied. Accordingly, the Court held that to survive summary judgment, the evidence
presented by the plaintiff must be “of []sufficient caliber or quantity to allow a rational
finder of fact to find actual malice by clear and convincing evidence.” Id. Liberty
No. 31837—1411 — concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
Lobby’s construction of Federal. Rules of Civil Procedure 56 was applied to CR 56 by our
state Supreme Court in Herrorz, 108 Wn.2d at 170.
In Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. v. Hepps, 475 US. 767, 777, 106 S. Ct. 1558, 89
L. Ed. 2d 783 (1986), the Court held that the common law presumption that defamatory
speech-is false “cannot stand” even for a private party plaintiff, if he or she “seeks
damages against a media defendant for speech of pubiic concern.” “In other words, the
Court fashioned “a constitutional requirement that the plaintiff bear the burden of
5”
showing falsity, as well as fault, before recovering damages. Miikovich v. Lorain
Journal Ca, 497 US. 1, 16, 110 S. Ct. 2695, iii L. Ed. 2d 1 (1990) (quoting Hepps, 475
US. at 776).
in Milkovich, the Court held that a statement on matters of public concern “must
be provable as false before there can be any liabiiity under state defamation law,”
meaning that “a statement of opinion relating to matters of public concern which does not
contain a provany faise factual connotation will receive fuil constitutional protection.”
497 US. at 19—20 (emphasis added).
All of these important limitations on defamation claims flow from our “profound
national commitment,” reflected in the First Amendment, “to the principie that debate on
public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open.” New York Times, 376 US.
at 270 (emphasis added). But in construing RCW 4.24.525 to carry out the iegisiature’s
stated objective of striking a baiance that recognizes “the rights of persons to tile lawsuits
No. 31837—1—lll w concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
and to trial by jury,”3 we must remember that the constitutionalization of defamation law
under the First Amendment has already altered the common law balance, making it more
difficult for defamed plaintiffs to obtain redress: it has in many cases shifted the burden
of proving falsity to the plaintiff; it has eliminated liability for a defendant’s statements
that do not have a provably false connotation; it has eliminated liability for true reports of
matters reflected in judicial records of public prosecutions; it has required public officials
and public figures to prove actual malice by clear and convincing evidence;4 for private
figure plaintiffs, it has imposed the same burden of proof it they seek to recover
presumed or punitive damages flowing from speech on a matter of public concern; and it
has imposed heightened appellate review that focuses on the rights of defamation
defendants.
The legislature ’s statement ofparpose evinces the intent to
accelerate the dismissal of doomed claims, not to impose
additional burdens on a plaintiff’s right to sue for defamation
The legislature’s 2010 amendment to the anti—SLAPP statute cannot reasonably be
read as intended to create an additional substantive hurdle for defamation plaintiffs. No
concern is expressed in the preamble about existing elements or standards of proof. The
3 LAWS OF 2010, ch. 118, § l(2)(a).
4 The Supreme Court observed in Gertz that “[p]iainly many deserving plaintiffs,
including some intentionally subjected to injury, wiil be unable to surmount the barrier of
the New York Times test.” 418 US. at 342.
No. 318374-111
Johnson v. Ryan
Being without ajob, Ryan had time to obsess over his firing from the Theatre. On
October 18, 2010, Ryan began a public campaign to discredit Johnson for terminating his
employment. According to-Johnson, the campaign began when Ryan sent an e—mail to
her and posted the message on Facebook, although the e-maii is not part of the record.
On October 24, 2010, Ryan began posting negative statements about Yvonne Johnson on
the Internet via a blog entitled. “thetyrannyofyvonne.” Clerk’s Papers (C?) at 99.
Ryan obtained the domain names of “spokanecivictheater.org” and
“spokanecivictheatre.org.” C? at 99. The Theatre’s domain address was
“spokanecivictheatre.com.” The simiiarity in domain names caused confusion for those
wishing to iocate the Theatre’s website. Anyone who mistakeniy searched for the
Theatre’s website by utiiizing one of his created addresses was immediately routed by
Ryan’s design to his sites. On. April 29, 2011, Ryan began posting negative statements
about Johnson on his two sites. In general, these blogs provide a lengthy chronology of
Ryan’s ongoing post»empioyment dispute with Johnson through various tribunais. This
tedious chronology is set forth in some detail by the dissent. Within this tedious
chronology is an isolated and vague reference that the Theatre board must be pubiicly
held to account for failing to exercise its duties. This vague reference iikely was to a
wrongful discharge lawsuit that Ryan tiied soon afterward against the Theatre.
No. 318374411 7 concurring
Johnson 1/. Ryan
purpose for the motion to strike procedure is explained as acceierating the dismissal of
claims that are preordained to fail and sanctioning the plaintiffs who bring them.
The act’s preamble contains multiple textual indications that the legislature was
not concerned about plaintiffs who had viable defamation ciaims under existing law. its
findings state that its concern is with iawsuits that are “brought primarily to chill the
valid exercise of . . . constitutional rights.” LAWS OF 20“), Ch. I 18, § l(l)(a) (emphasis
added). They state that problematic lawsuits “are typically dismissed as groundless or
unconstitutionai”ethe problem being that such cases are not dismissed early enough.
1d. at § l(l)(b). The findings state that the citizens about whom the legislature is
concerned are those who would “fear . . . reprisal through abuse of the judiciai process.”
Id. at § l.(l_)(d) (emphasis added). They state that the act’s purpose is to “[s]trike a
balance” that recognizes “the rights of persons to file lawsuits and to trial by jury.” Id. at
§ 1(2)(3~)-
The only intended change to defamation law expressed by the 2010 iegisiation is
to spare defendants from pointless expense and inconvenience by allowing stays of
discovery, expedited dismissal, and expedited appeal. The legislature’s findings express
concern that whiie groundless and unconstitutional ciaims are typically dismissed, it is
“often not before the defendants are put to great expense, harassment, and interruption of
their productive activities.” Id. at § l(1)(b). The findings state that a purpose of the act
was to “[e]stab1ish an efficient, uniform, and comprehensive method for speedy
10
No. 3 l 837-1411 -~ concurring
Johnson 12. Ryan
adjudication of strategic lawsuits against public participation” and “[p]rovide for
attorneys’ fees, costs, and additional relief where appropriate.” Id. at § l(2)(b), (c).
It may be that for a defamation plaintiff (depending on our Supreme Courtis
uitimate clarification of Mark) the clear and convincing evidence standard by which she
must establish a probability of prevailing to survive a motion to strike wiii prove to be a
new substantive standard. But nothing about the 2010 legisiation suggests that this was
intentional on the part of the iegisiators. It appears to have been the view of at ieast some
who participated in drafting the iaw and urging its enactment that Washington defamation
plaintiffs already face this burden at the summary judgment stage under Mark; in their
View, the only change wrought by the 2010 iegisiation was to acceierate the burden to the
outset of litigation. See Bruce EH. Johnson & Sarah K. Duran, A View from the First
Amendment T ranches: Washington State ’3 New Protections for Public Discourse and
Democracy, 87 WASH. L. REV. 495, 497, 524 (2012) (recounting the authors’
involvement with the legislation and observing that the requirement of clear and
convincing proof of all eiements of a piaintifl’s case “merely codifie[s] the common iaw
of defamation from Mark 12. Seattle Times”).
If our Supreme Court hereafter decides that the burden imposed on defamation
plaintiffs at the summary judgment stage by Mark has no basis in the First Amendment
and is contrary to summary judgment practice in other cases, then RCW 4.24.525 does
ll
No. 318537—1411 — concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
impose a substantive standard for purposes of surviving the motion to strike that is higher
as to some elements, and as to some plaintiffs, than is the standard of proof at trial.5
Overall, the 2010 changes do not reflect a legislative intent to alter Washington’s
law of defamation. Most importantly, they do not reflect a legislative intent to adopt a
meaning for “public concern” that is different from that term’s iongstanding use to
identify speech that is entitled to heightened protection under the First Amendment
“Public concern ” is a longstanding term identifiiing speech
entitled to heightened protection under the First
Amendmentwana’ a strikingly dijferent concept than ‘public
interest” under California ’5 anti—SLAPP statute
The United States Supreme Court has “long recognized that not all speech is of
equal First Amendment importance. It is speech on ‘matters of public concern’ that is ‘at
the heart of the First Amendment’s protection.” Dun & Bradstreet, 472 US. at 758—59
(footnote omitted) (internal citation marks omitted) (quoting First Nat ’l Bank of Boston v.
Bellotti, 435118. 765, 776, 98 S. Ct. 1407, 55 L. Ed. 2d 707 (1978)).
The concept that some speech is entitled to heightened First Amendment
protection has been recognized for at least 75 years. It was discussed in Thornhill v.
5 Constitutional challenges to the discrepancy between the standard on which the
trial court is required to strike a claim and the standard that would apply at trial were
raised and rejected in a decision by Division One of our court, and are presently before
our Supreme Court for review, Davis 12. Cox, 180 Wash. App. 514, 546—48, 325 P.3d 255(2014), review granted, No. 902330 (Wash. Oct. 9, 2014). Constitutional challenges
were not raised in this appeal.
12
No. 31837-1—111— concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
Alabama, 310 US. 88, 60 S. Ct. 736, 84 L. Ed. 1093 (1940), in which the Court reviewed
the conviction of a striking union member arrested white picketing a mill, pursuant to an
Alabama statute that outlawed loitering or picketing a business. in reversing the union
member’s conviction, the Court said,
The freedom of speech and of the press guaranteed by the
Constitution embraces at the least the liberty to discuss pubiicly and
truthful iy all matters of public concern without previous restraint or fear of
subsequent punishment. The exigencies of the colonial period and the
efforts to secure freedom from oppressive administration developed a
broadened conception of these liberties as adequate to supply the public
needfor information and education with respect to the significant issues of
the times. . . . Freedom of discussion, if it would fulfill its historicfunction
in this nation, must embrace all issues about which information is needed
or appropriate to enable the members of society to cope with the exigencies
of their period.
Id. at 101-02 (footnotes omitted) (emphasis added).
Matters of public interest, pubiic concern, and public affairs continued to be
recognized as worthy of special protection in the United States Supreme Court’s First
Amendment jurisprudence in the 1960s, even if the basis for imposing the actual malice
standard in a defamation case was a plaintiff‘s status as a public officiai or a public
figure. Eg, Garrison, 379 US. at 74 (providing heightened protection for “discussion of
public affairs”); Pickering 12. Ba. ofEa’uc. ofTwp. High Sch. Dist. 205, 39]. US. 563,
573, 88 S. Ct. 1731, 20 L. Ed. 2d 811 (1968) (discussing the great “public interest in
having free and unhindered. debate on matters of public importanceeethe core value of
the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment”).
13
No. 31837—1—HE — concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
For several years in the early i9703, a plurality of the United States Supreme
Court even held that the fact that a publication dealt with an issue of “public concern”
should be the basis for applying the First Amendment’s actual malice standard and the
requirement of proof by convincing ciarity. Rosenbloom v. Metromea’ia, Inc, 403 US.
29, 44-45, 9E S. Ct. 1811, 29 L, Ed. 2d 296 (1971), abrogated by Gertz, 418 US. at
34344. While the Court’s 1974 decision in Gertz returned the defamation plaintiff" s
status as a public officiai, pubiic figure, or private figure to primary importance, the fact
that a publication did or did not deal with an issue of public concern continued to be
relevant in many cases to its protected status, including public employment cases that
have further developed factors to be considered in determining whether a communication
“fal1[s] under the rubric of matters of ‘public concern.“ ” Carmick v. Myers, 461 US.
138, 148, 103 S. Ct. 1684, 75 L. Ed. 2d 708 (1983);6 accordDun & Bradstreet, 472 US.
at 756 (distinguishing Gerrz as involving expression on a matter of“undoubted public
concern” .
ln explaining why “speech on ‘matters of public concern’ . . . is ‘at the heart of the
First Amendment’s protection,” ” the Supreme Court in Dim & Bradstreet shed light on
what it meant by speech on mattersof public concern. 472 US. at 758—59 (internal
6 The c0ntent of the speech is generally the most important. Karl v. City of
Moanflake Terrace, 678 F.3d 1062, 1069 (9th Cir. 2012). The relevance of motive is in
understanding the context of a remark and is considered in relation to the content of the
speech itself. Kale/rims v. .Ivkovich, 185 F.3d 840, 848 (7th Cir. 1999).
14
No. 3 i 837—1-111 4 concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
quotation marks omitted) (quoting Beltottt, 435 U.S. at 776. It spoke of the First
Amendment having been “‘ fashioned to assure unfettered interchange of ideas for the
bringing about of politicai and social changes desired by the people.” ”” Dan cf:
Bradstreet, 472 U.S. at 759 (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Roth v. United
States, 354 U.S. 476, 484, 77 S. Ct. 1304, 1 L. Ed. 2d 1498) (1957)). it characterized
EEC
such speech as [s]peech concerning public affairs” ”” that is ‘“ more than self—
expression; it is the essence of selfwgovernment.” ”” Id. (quoting Garrison, 379 U.S. at 74—
75). In deciding whether the speech at issue involved a matter of public concern, the
factors that it chose to apply were those identified in its 1983 decision in Com/tick, which
it described as arising “[i]n a related context.” Dan & Bradstreet, 472 U.S. at 761.
In Conntck, the Court observed that the Constitution’s “special concern with
threats to the right of citizens to participate in political affairs is no mystery.” 46] U.S. at
145. in addition to quoting Garrison’s characterization of speech concerning pubiic
affairs as “ ‘ more that self—expression” ”’ and “ “the essence of self-government,” ”” id.
(quoting Garrison, 379 U .S. at 7475) and Roth’s observation that the First Amendment
“ “was fashioned to assure unfettered interchange of ideas for the bringing about of
political and social changes,” id. (quoting Roth, 354 U.S. at 484), it stated that the Court
had “frequentiy reaffirmed that speech on public issues occupies the ‘highest rung of the
hierarchy ofFirst Amendment values,” and is entitled to special protection.” Id. (quoting
Nat’l Ass ’nfor Advancement ofC‘olored People v. Claiborne Hardware Co, 458 U.Si
15
No. 3 1837-1411 w concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
886, 913,102 S. Ct. 3409, 73 L. Ed. 2d lZiS (1982); Carey v. Brown, 447 US. 455, 467,
100 S. Ct. 2286, 65 L. Ed. 2d 263 (1980)).
To be sure, neither the United States Supreme Court nor our own Supreme Court
has slavishly used the term “public concern” in discussing speech entitled to heightened
protection. Both have spoken of“public interest” and “public affairs” somewhat
interchangeabiy. But the clearly predominant label that federal courts and our own have
applied in identifying that speech whose character warrants special protection under the
First Amendment is speech on issues or matters of “public concern.”
As the majority explains, our legislature’s notabie substitution of the “pubiic
concern” for the California statute’s reference to “pubiic interest” reflects an impiicit
rejection of the Caiifornia term and the case law construing it. Majority at l2~l3.
Moreover, “‘ if the iegisiature uses a term well known to the common. iaw, it is presumed
533
that the legisiature intended to mean what it was understood to mean at common iaw.
Ralph v. Dep’t ofNatuml Res, No. 881154, 2014 WL 7445555 at *2 (Wash. Dec. 31,
2014) (quotingNY. Life Ins. Co. v. Jones, 86 Wash. 2d 44, 47, 54}. P.2d 989 (1975)). The
legislature’s rejection of“public interest” in favor of“public concern” is a clear
indication. that the well—known First Amendment concept was intended, There is no need
to resort to dictionary definitions.
The rubric “public concern” imparts a meaning very different from the meaning
that California courts have ascribed to “public interest” as used in that state’s anti—SLAPP
l6
No. 318374—111 m concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
statute. 7 “Public interest” has been construed as untethered to any value of speech under
the First Amendment. California courts have construed it to mean “any issue in which
the public is interested.” Nygaral, Inc. v. UuSi—Kerrrula, 159 Cal. App. 4th i027, 1042= 72
Cal. Rptr. 3d 210 (2008). in describing the exceptionally broad construction of “public
interest” by California courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has observed that the
California Supreme Court
has “explicitly rejected the assertion that the only activities qualifying for
statutory protection are those which meet the lofty standard oi‘pertaining to
the heart of self~government.” Navellz'er [u Slen‘en, 29 Cal. App. 4th 82, 52
P.3d 703, 710, 124 Cal. Rptr. 2d 530 (2002)] (internal quotation marks
omitted). Thus, the activity of the defendant need not involve questions of
civic concern; sociai or even low«brow topics may suffice.
Hilton v. Hallmark Cards, 599 F.3d 894, 905 (9th Cir. 2010). Washington commentators
have agreed that California’s is “one of the broadest anti-SLAP? statutes in the United
States.” Johnson & Duran, supra, at 523.
The decision in Tamkin 12. CBS Broadcasting; Inc, 193 Cai. App. 4th 133, 122
Cal. Rptr. 3d 264 (201 1) illustrates just how far removed from a First Amendment value~
driven concept of “public concern” California’s non~First Amendment value—driven
concept of“pubiic interest” can be. in that case, a casting synopsis was prepared for two
7 On this score, I disagree not only with the dissent but aiso with the view
expressed in Alaska Structures, Inc. v. Hedluad, E80 Wn. App. 59}, 599, 323 P.3d 1082(2014) that there was “no discernible difference” in the terms “public interest” and
“public concern.”
l7
No. 3 1837—1—11} A concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
characters, “Scott Tamkin” and “Melinda Tamkin” who would play parts in an upcoming
episode of the teievision program CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Scott and Melinda
Tamkin were the names of a real-life married coupte, both real estate agents. A writer for
the CS] series met the Tarnkins when she made an offer on a home that she later
exercised her right to cancel.
The writer used the Tamkins’ names as placeholders in drafting a script for an
episode of CS] about a troubled fictional married couple who were both real estate
professionals. The writer intended to substitute other names in the final script. The
casting synopses were inadvertently released using the names “Scott Tamkin” and
“Melinda Tamkin” and described the characters in defamatory ways bearing no relation
to the real Mr. and Mrs. Tamkin. When Mr. Tamkin discovered the synopses on the
Internet, he and his wife brought suit.
An anti-SLAPP motion to strike the Tamkins’ complaint was granted and affirmed
on appeal. The facts that the Tamkins were private figures, that they did nothing to cause
their names to be included in a CS] script, and even that the scrsz and casting synopses
were admitted fiction, proved irrelevant to the appeliate court’s “public interest” analysis.
instead, it was enough that there was public interest “in the creative process underlying
the production of the film” and that the defendants “showed that there was a public
interest in the writing, casting, and broadcasting of CS] episode 9i3.” Id. at 144. The
pubiic interest in CSI episode 913 was shown “by the posting of the casting synopses on
18
No. 31837-1—ill w concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
various Web sites and the ratings for the episode.” Id. at 143. In Caiifornia, then, not
only debatable fantasy but admitted fantasy (and about private piaintift‘s) is a matter of
“public interest,” as long as it is interesting.
Such a broad meaning of “public concern” wouid introduce dissonance into
RCW 4.24.525(2). Under the principle ot‘noscitur a soccis, “‘the meaning of words may
be indicated or controlled by those with which they are associated.’ ” State v. Jackson,
137 Wash. 2d 712, 729, 976 P.2d 1229 (1999) (quoting Ball v. Stokely Foods, Inc, 37
_Wn.2d 79, 87788, 221 P.2d 832 (1950); accordStare v. Budik, 173 Wash. 2d 727, 735, 272
P.3d 816 (2012) (construing six criminal means delineated by statute as having
common quaiities, rather than as including an outlier). RCW 4.24.525(2)’s first three
examples of actions “involving public participation and petition” are all statements in, in
connection with, or encouraging or enlisting participation in a governmental proceeding.
RCW 4.24.525(2)(a)-(c). its fourth and fifth examples are statements made in a public
forum or otherwise in connection with an issue of public concern. RCW 4.24.525(2)(d)-
(e). If “public concern” is understood to mean the type of speech given heightened
protection in First Amendment jurisprudence, then all five exampies of actions
“invoiving pubiic participation and petition” are communications relevant to self"
government or politicai and sociai change. On the other hand, if “public concern” is
construed as having the same meaning given “public interest” by California courts, then
RCW 4.24.525 identifies three related examples of poiiticai participation and two
19
No. 31837—1411
Johnson 12. Ryan
Johnson alleges that Ryan sought to prevent her from gaining employment in the
theater world. She cites a November 14, 2011 blog Ryan wrote:
As I was writing this, it occurred to me that Civic is locked in a self-
imposed catch-22. The longer the board fails to seek a resolution [to my
employment dispute], the longer Civic is likeiy to be stuck with Yvonne
AK. Johnson. People have been talking for a year now about her desire to
find a bigger, better job and move on from here—a scenario that has been
fantasized about with no small amount of glee. If it is true that Ms. Johnson
has been job hunting, one has to imagine that prospective employers have
probably taken the time to Google Civic and her name, They are not likely
to skip past the second search result, which is this site. (They might even
just enter http://www.spokanecivictheatre.org, assuming that that would be
the correct domain.) A few minutes spent reading this . . . is likely to
induce a sense that Ms. Johnson would bring more drama and divisiveness
than any respectable institution would care to have. So any fantasies you
may have that Civic will soon be free of Ms. J ohnson of her own accord are
probably a bit unrealistic.
CP at lOS.
In a similar vein, Ryan wrote in red. letters at the beginning of a blog on February
8, 2013:
If you have arrived at this page because you are considering Yvonne AK.
Johnson [for ajob] please feel free to contact me. i would be happy to put
you in contact with individuais [of] status within the community [who]
would lend supporting testimony to what you will read [here i can be]
reached at civicdoodyspokane@gmail.com.
C? at 104.
No. 31837-l-lll w concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
unrelated examples (“anything interesting”) that would hardly be known by their
associates.
Finally, the broad California construction would burden many plaintiffs’ ability to
hold a defendant responsible for an abuse of the defendant’s right to speak freely, with no
First Amendment justification for imposing that burden. This raises potential issues
under article i, section 5 of the Washington Constitution.
T he Washington Constitution provides that every speaker is
responsible for an abuse of his right to freely speak, write and
publish
The Washington Constitution provides at article I, section 5, that “[e]very person
may freely speak, write and publish on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of
that right.” (Emphasis added). In a dissenting Opinion in Beauhamais v. Ill, 343 U.S.
250, 292 & n.6, 72 S. Ct. 725, 96 L. Ed. 919 (1952), Justice Jackson, having surveyed
state constitutions, identified more than 40 (including Washington’s) that, “while
extending broad protections to speech and press, reserve a responsibility for their abuse
and implicitly or explicitly recognize validity of criminal libei laws.” Constitutional
protections of speech of this sort have been referred to as “liberty and responsibility”
clauses. Ex Parie Tueci, 859 S.W.2d i, 22~23 (Tex. 1993) (Phillips, J., concurring); Am.
Bush v. City ofSoui‘h SaZiLake, 2006 UT 40, 140 P.3d 1235, 1241. “Historical evidence
indicates that the phrase imposing responsibility for the “abuse” of the right was inserted
to preserve civil liability for defamation.” 1 Jennifer Friesen, STATE CONSTITUTIONAL
20
No. 31837~l~111 A concurring
Johnson 12. Ryan
LAW: LITIGATING INDIVioUAL RIGHTS, CLA lMS, AND Darenses § 5.02[3][e] at 5-10 (4th
ed. 2006); accord Wheeler 11. Green, 286 Or. 99, 118, 593 P.2d 777 (1979) (holding that
defamatory statements are recognized as an abuse of the right of free expression for
which a person is to be held responsible under article 1, section 8 of the Oregon
Constitution); Turner 1/, KTRK Television, Inc, 38 S.W.3d 103, 117 (Tex. 2000) (holding
that “the Texas Constitution expressly guarantees the right to bring reputational torts”);
Telnikoflv. Marusevitcn, 347 Md. 56}, 614, 702 A.2d 230 (1997) (Chasanow, 1.,
dissenting) (characterizing article 40 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights as containing
“a safeguard against defamation” not found in the United States Constitution); Am. Bush,
140 P.3d at 1244 (characterizing it as “undoubtedly true” that the phrase “responsible for
the abuse” in Utah’s liberty and responsibility clause was intended to preserve liability
for defamation). But of Werner v. S. Cal. Associated Newspapers, 35 Cal. 2d 121, 124—
25, 21.6 P.2d 825 (1950) (construing the abuse language as merely making clear that the
right of free speech does not guarantee immunity from liability).
Of course, we avoid deciding constitutional questions where a case may be fairly
resolved on other grounds. szy. Telecable of Seattle, Inc. v. Cily ofSeanle, Dep ’1 of
Exec. Admin, 164 Wash. 2d 35, 41, 186 P.3d 1032 (2008). A narrow, First Amendment—
based meaning of “public concern” is most likely to avoid a constitutional challenge
under article 1, section 5 of the Washington Constitution. Nevertheless, because l agree
with the majority that there are ample nonconstitutional reasons why “public concern”
2].
No. 318374-111 _ concurring
Johnson v. Ryan
should. be understood to have its weiI-settied meaning, it is premature to analyze the
meaning of the “responsible for the abuse” language in ihat section of our constitution.
V” Siddoway, o}. g
22
No.31837—1—In
FEARING, J. (dissenting) m
INTRODUCTION
This appeal asks this court to interpret the expression “public concern” found in
the 2010 Washington anti—SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against PubEic Participation)
statute, RCW 4.24.525. We need not announce a comprehensive definition for the
statutory phrase, but only determine whether vitriolic blogging ofJames Ryan targeting
Spokane Civic Theatre Executive Artistic Director Yvonne Johnson fits within the term.
The majority holds that James Ryan’s “biogging was primarily for personal
concern, not public concern.” Majority at 1. I do not know if the majority ruies that
Ryan’s blogging is of no public concern or is of public concern, but motivated more by
personal concern. Regardiess, l dissent, because the biogging contained elements of
public concern. More importantly, the anti—SLAP? statute does not authorize this court
or the trial court to weigh the motivation of James Ryan. Personal gain or vengeance is
not relevant in determining whether speech is of public concern. Since Ryan’s comments
about Yvonne Johnson were of public concern and since Johnson faiis to present a prima
facie case of liability, I dissent.
FACTS
i try not to repeat all facts outlined by the majority, but repeat some for emphasis.
The Spokane Civic Theatre is a not—for—protit, performing arts theatre located in. Spokane.
The Civic Theatre is a private foundation receiving support from private donors and
operating with an endowmentwthe Spokane Civic Theatre Endowment Fund. A
I No. 31837~1~IH — dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
Wikipedia entry described the Civic Theatre as “one of the oldest community theatres in
the country . . . [and] a point of pride for the city [of Spokane].” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at
55 .
The Spokane Civic Theatre’s website declares that “the tradition of pubiic
education has continued throughout our history.” CP at 27. As such, the theatre serves
as an educational resource for local high school and coiiege drama departments. At least
one thousand volunteers assist the Civic Theatre. The Theatre’s website further reads:
“in addition to volunteering their time, the Spokane Community has given incredible
amounts in the form of donations that support us in our mission to provide and support
theatre excellence.” CP at 27.
In 2005, the Spokane Civic Theatre hired piaintiff Yvonne Johnson as its
executive artistic director. On January 27, 2005, the Spokesman—Review, Spokane’s
major newspaper, published an articie introducing Johnson to the community.
On August 29, 2010, the Spokesman-Review pubiished an article praising Yvonne
Johnson for helping the Spokane Civic Theatre thrive despite the brutal economy. The
articie quoted one local director and performer: “‘I think she’s been a gift to the
community. She has helped the Spokane Civic Theatre regain its standards as a giorious
and reliable theater.” C? at 5i.
Yvonne Johnson maintained her own website, wwwyvonneakj ohnsoncom. The
website promoted her career. T he website described, in part, her duties as executive
artistic director at the Spokane Civic Theatre. The duties included assisting the Theatre’s
No. 31837-1-111— dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
business manager and director of development on obtaining grants, cultivating donor
reiations, administering personnel policies, ensuring compliance with state and federal
regulations, representing the Theatre to the community, and maintaining contact with
state and nationai arts organizations.
As the executive artistic director, Yvonne Johnson supervised and evaluated Civic
Theatre employees and administered grievance and termination procedures. On
August 19, 2010, Johnson hired defendant James Ryan as music director for the Theatre.
Ryan desired employment with a community theatre like the Spokane Civic Theatre, as
opposed to a professional theatre where talent moves from place to place to further
careers. Ryan believed that working for the Spokane Civic Theatre would ailow his
family a better connection to its home community.
Two months after the hiring, Yvonne Johnson terminated James Ryan’s
employment for cause at the direction of the Civic Theatre’s board. Yvonne Johnson
wrote a termination letter to Ryan. Because Ryan ciaims the letter confirms the “public”
nature of the Civic Theatre, I quote much of the ietter here:
As we discussed Sunday, October 17, 2010, your employment with
the Theatre is terminated effective October 17, 2010. . . .
YOUR PRETERMJNATJON CONDUCT .
The Theatre decided to terminate your employment because you
exercised extremely poor judgment by piacing into the pubiic domain
sexuain graphic text and pictures of you and Lynette [Ryan’s wife]
combined with information that permitted an association to the Theatre.
There are three gross offenses here.
first, there is the public nature of your indiscretions due to using
www.Craigslist.org to solicit sex. For most peoplcwsexuai conduct is a
No. 3l837—l-lll — dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
personal matter, not something to be shared with the community at large or
imported into the workplace.
Second, you would have been fine had you exercised even a
modicum of judgment and maintained professional anonymity. Instead you
chose to publicly associate your sexual activities with the Theatre by
referencing your workplace in emails, sending sexually explicit e-mails
from work while backstage, and using your photo that is on the Theatre’s
website to solicit sexual activity. . . .
Third, as the Music Director, you were in a leadership position and
miserably failed to uphold yourself to the high public standards charged to
representatives ofthe Theatre. (See our handbook). On Friday, October 15,
2010, you first disclosed your personal sexual activities to me. As I told
you then and as I believe in my heart now, the Theatre neither judges nor
cares about what employees do in their personal lives. . . .
However, the very moment that the Theatre became implicated is the
moment that serious business concerns arose. What was once wholly
personal quickly transformed into a matter regarding professional judgment
and leadership competence.
. . . However, our personal sensitivities are not the proper measure
for the appropriate boundaries of public decorum for representatives of the
Theatre. In gauging our public actions, we must think of the diverse
community we serve and the potential for its offense. We serve mature
audiences and youth audiences. We serve audiences both conservative and
liberal, both modest and flagrant. Given the range of diversity, the Theatre
must take a high road and hold itself and its representatives to the highest
of ethical standards, lest we offend even a firaction ofour supporters none
of whom we can aflord to alienate. T he potential to ofi’end the local
community is the appropriate measure to guide our judgment. As a
director and leader of the Theatre, you, of all people, should have known
better, Jim.
You know how dependent we are upon the good will of the local
community in the greater Spokane metropolitan area. The Theatre exists
and thrives only because of local support. Local ticket sales, local
donations, and local volunteers are the lifeblood for our wafer-profit and
growing civic theatre. Furthermore, we are not the only game in town. The
competition for local charity is fierce and dollars and resources are scarcer
due to the degraded state of the economy. Before associating the Theatre
with your graphically nude pictures and public domain solicitations for sex,
did you even once think beyond your personal gratification and consider
the potential negative impact on the Theatre’s patron, donor and/or
No. 31837~l~lll - dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
volunteer support? The Theatre could have and still can go down in
financial flames because of what you have done. All of our hard work
could be lost to public scandal and the Theatre could. dwindle into
obscurity. . . .
POST—TERMINATION CONDUCT
To worsen matters, you horribly mismanaged your response to the
Theatre’s reaction. On Sunday, October 17, 2010, I contacted you to have
an innperson meeting with the Board so that we could professionally
discuss Options. Instead, you refused, became belligerent, and engaged in a
smear campaign to discredit me and the Theatre by falsely spreading
rumors that your termination was due to disclosing your status as a
“swinger.” As you may recall, you disclosed that information to me on
Friday, October 15, 2010. it was no big deal then and remains innocuous to
this day. The concerns arose later that afternoon while reviewing the
photographs and text and realizing the public nature of the association of
your sexual solicitations with the Theatre. Even then, the reinstatement of
you and Lynette to the Theatre’s employ and rehabilitation of the Theatre’s
image might have been possible. It appears that dissemination of the
information may have been limited. Maybe we could have hired a publicist
to help us address potential image damage.
In light of the above, the Board does not View its termination. actions
as unfair, unduly harsh or artistically stilling in direct contravention of the
Theatre’s mission. The decision was made after careful and compassionate
deliberation. Of course, as vanguards cfrhe dramatic arts, the Theatre is
cognizant ofils role in challenging the community’s intellect and in
pushing the boundaries ofcrealivity and artistic expression. However,
your public sexual endeavors are exclusively prurient in nature and deserve
no safe harbor.
We are truly sorry for the co-victims of your indiscretion and poor
judgment, namely Lynette and your son. Because Lynette was an
employee and her sexual activities were publicly associated with the .
Theatre (albeit through your actions), termination was unavoidable. The
end result and the potential for the Theatre’s financial ruin is just as great.
You are fortunate you are on good terms with her for she likely has a legal
claim against you if the disclosures were made without her consent.
It is unfortunate we find ourselves in this position. We wish that you
would have maintained anonymity and kept your private life out of the
workplace. We also wish that you would have responded more amicably
and responsibly instead of making matters more public and enlarging the
potential harm. Now, in addition to the potentially adverse financial
No. 31837~i~fli ~ dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
repercussions, the Theatre is losing two contributing and talented
empioyees.
We wish you the best of luck and goodwill in your future endeavors
and hope that you now better understand the reasons for our actions.-
Hopefuiiy, the better human being in you wiii forego any vengeful and
maiicious actions to injure the Theatre and the communin through costly
litigation. Only the art and the community will suffer. We know that is not
your wish and that you are not selfish. people.
CP at 83—85 (underiinin g in original) (emphasis added).
On October 24, 2010, James Ryan began posting negative statements about
Yvonne Johnson on the internet via a blog entitled “thetyrannyofyvonne.” CP at 99.
On April'29, 2011, Ryan began publishing adverse comments about Yvonne Johnson on
the internet via the domain names of “spokanecivictheater.org” and
‘tspolcanecivictheatre.org.” CP at 99. James Ryan operated the biog “civicdoodycom.”
C? at 80. The blog could also be found at “thetyi‘annyofyvonne.biogspot.com.” CP at
80. "Spokanecivictheater.org” and “spokanecivictheatre.org” redirected to
“civicdoodyeom.” CP at 8}.
The Spokane Civic Theatre filed a claim, with an Internet domain organization,
against James Ryan, for use of his confusing website addresses. Ryan prevailed and kept
his domain names.
Because we must determine if James Ryan’s speech on his lnternet biogs implicate
a public concern, I quote much of the language from the postings. On July 5, 2011, Ryan
posted the following blog that announced his prevailing in his claim for unemployment
compensation and accused Yvonne Johnson of providing the Employment Security
No. 3 1837—1-11} - dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
Department with false information:
TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2011
A Moral Victory
[PLEASE NOTE: This is obviously NOT the officiai site of Spokane
Civic Theatre. That can be found at www.spokanecivictheatre.com. This
site is here for the purpose of commentary and criticism. . . .
After a six~week investigation, the State of Washington has found
that Spokane Civic Theatre did not have sufficient cause to terminate my
employment on the basis of misconduct of any kind. While this does
nothing to improve my family’s general situation, it is clearly a moral
victory.
Yvonne AK Johnson was unable to document any of her
allegations, as they were blatantly false to begin with. Moreover, she never
conducted even a cursory investigation of the facts. Rather, she
immediately capituiated to the outrageous demands of a criminal
blackmailer on the basis of an anonymous email and proceeded to justify
her actions after the fact. My official separation letter should be expunged
from the record now that Ms. J ohnson’s lies and distortions have been
revealed as such. Her handling of this situation has done irreparable harm
to Spokane Civic Theatre and to her own ability to lead. She should resign
her position immediately.
If even one of Ms. J ohnson’s shocking and salacious allegations had
been true, the Washington State Department of Unemployment would
surely have found that my behavior showed “Wanton disregard of the
employer” or “disregard of standards of behavior which the employer has a
right to expect.” This is all very hard to square with the tone of my official
separation letter, which says:
The Theatre could have and still can go down in
financial flames because of what you have done. All of our
hard work could be lost to public scandal and the Theatre
could dwindle into obscurity. That is what you have done.
That is the magnitude of the potential harm.
Whether you are an actor, a staff member, a musician, a patron, or a
board member, you now know that all of this could have been easily
avoided by an honest and interpersonally competent executive. All of the
drama, all of the negativity, all of the personal information you would
rather have never learned~—none of it had to become your problem. Ms.
Johnson made it your problem.
No. 31837~1~IH
Johnson 1). Ryan
Johnson also alleges that Ryan’s blog attacks sought to coerce a financial
settlement with the Theatre. In the same February hlog, Ryan discussed a summary
judgment ruling against him in the wrongful discharge lawsuit he filed against the
Theatre. According to Ryan, prior to the dismissal of his lawsuit he offered to settle his
case for one year’s salary and moving expenses but now that his lawsuit was dismissed,
the Theatre would be required to pay “serious money” to “end this thing.” CP at 10. He
also blogged that public ridicule is the only remedy for actions that fall into this category
and this was their best chance to end this thing with a reasonable settlement and a
nondisclosure.
PROCEDURE
On April 5, 2013, Yvonne Johnson flied suit against James Ryan for intentionai
interference with business expectancy and defamation. Johnson sought damages and
injunctive relief. In his amended answer, James Ryan sought dismissal of J ohnson’s
complaint under RCW 4.24.525, the antiaSLAPP statute, together with an award of
statutory damages and reasonable attorney fees.
On May 31, 2013, Ryan brought a motion to strike, pursuant to RCW 4.24.525.
Ryan argued that his online postings simply provided a public forum for discussion and
dissemination of commentary, complaints, and generai information related to the Theatre.
No. 31837~I~III u dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
The sad irony is that Yvonne AK. Johnson could have avoided
granting us this victory if her extraordinary intelligence had not been
overwhelmed by her extreme mallciousness. This ruling is the result of her
decision to fight my Washington. State unemployment claim, which i. tiled
in May, when my Pennsylvania benefits ran out. Washington found that i
was eligible for about $3378, paid out at the rate 0f$l98 per week, for as
long as I remained unemployed, eligible for work, and actively seeking
work.
If Ms. Johnson had been acting in the best interest of Spokane Civic
Theatre, she would not have contested this claim. (If my calculations and
understandings of the system are correct, the absolute most my claim will
cost Civic is $202.68. That’s 6% of the amount I am eligible for.) In the
course of fighting my claim, Ms. Johnson submitted false statements to the
Unemployment Security Department, in the form of my official separation
letter. She had not previously provided this document to anyone other than.
myself. She has now opened the theatre to further charges of defamation,
as well as to charges of making demonstrably false statements to a
government agency, should WashingtOn State wish to pursue that. She
actually went out of her way to request additional time from the
adjudicator, an indication that can only mean she put all of her best efforts
into contesting my claim.
If Ms. Johnson had not been blinded by her determination to justify
her mistakes, she would not have contested this claim, as in doing so she
allowed for an adjudication of the circumstances surrounding my
termination. That adjudication has shown, beyond a shadow of a doubt,
that she has been in the wrong all along.
I can only assume that .lohnson will drag this out further by
appealing this ruling, If she does, a hearing will take place, creating further
opportunity for her to make false statements on the record, opening Civic to
further liability. I hope she will, as I have no doubt as to what the outcome
of that process would be and I welcome the opportunity to vindicate myself
again. I will wait until. her window of opportunity to appeal has passed
before 1 forward a version of this letter to local media outlets.
Finally, when board members fail to exercise the duties they accept
when they agree to sit on boards, they must be publicly held to account.
This is Civic’s Board of Directors: '
An update will be posted here in the coming days regarding the
status of our search for the attacker. Sadly, the one thing we’ve learned is
that our best chance at catching and prosecuting him would have been for
the theatre to have pressed blackmail charges immediately. As the theater
No. 318374411 v dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
was too busy tiring and defaming us, that obviously did not happen. We
are stiil working on it though.
C? at 106-07.
In reaction to the Juiy 5, 2011 post, Yvonne Johnson protested that she made no
false statements to the Employment Security Department and that James Ryan knew she
made no false statements. Spokane Civic Theatre Managing Director James Humes, not
Yvonne Johnson, signed the Theatre’s response to Ryan’s application for unemployment
benefits. Nevertheless, J ohnson’s termination letter was attached to the Theatre’s
response and represented as the reason for Ryan‘s tiring.
In a deciaration in opposition to James Ryan’s anti—SLAPP motion, Yvonne
Johnson testified that character, integrity and reputation are of the utmost importance to
her position as executive artistic director of the Spokane Civic Theatre. The
characteristics dictate her iength of employment with the Civic Theatre and whether she
can obtain similar employment elsewhere. Johnson expects to always work in the theater
field.
Yvonne Johnson believes James Ryan seeks to prevent her from gaining
employment in the theater world. in a November 14, 2011 biog Ryan wrote:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011
A Coupie Things You Should Know
if you are an employee of Spokane Civic Theatre, there are a couple
of things you should know-ma couple of things i haven’t mentioned yet on
this site:
Firstly, you shouid know that in addition to the outright iies
submitted to the State of Washington by Civic in my official separation
No. 318374-111 - dissent
Johnson 1). Ryan
letter, there was also a standard questionnaire on which Civic checked a
box indicating that I had been discharged for “deliberate acts that are
illegal= provoke violence or violations of the iaws.” Throughout all of
this, no one has ever indicated that I did anything illegal. Hell, the State of
Washington found that l didn’t even do anything negligent, let alone illegal.
So I think it is important for you to know that your employer is brazen
enough to cast such slanderous aspersions about their former employees#
on officiai documents. They might even caii you a criminal! This couid'
obviously impact your future job prospects in undesirable ways.
As I was writing this, it occurred to me that Civic is locked in a self~
imposed catch~22. The longer the board fails to seek a resolution to this
matter, the longer Civic is iikely to be stuck: with Yvonne AK. Johnson.
Peopie have been talking for a year now about her desire to find a bigger,
better job and move on from herewa scenario that has been fantasized
about with no small amount of glee. if it is true that Ms. Johnson has been
job hunting, one has to imagine that prospective employers have probably
taken the time to Googie Civic and her name. They are not likely to skip
past the second search result, which is this site. (They might even just enter
http://www.spokanecivictheatre.org, assuming that would be the correct
domain.) A few minutes spent reading this and possibly clicking through to
the recent UDRP [Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution] decision
against Civic is iikeiy to induce a sense that Ms. Johnson would bring more
drama and divisiveness than any respectable institution would care to have.
So any fantasies you may have that Civic will soon be free of Ms. Johnson
of her own accord are probably a bit unrealistic.
Finaiiy, I’d like to brag just a littie by pointing out that of the 85
most recent UDRP decisions, the respondent prevailed in only SiX
instances. That means that complainants win 93% of the time. That’s how
weak Civic’s $3000 case against me was.
C? at 108 (bold and underlining in original) (emphasis added).
Yvonne Johnson characterizes James Ryan’s hlog attacks as a means to coerce a
payment from the Spokane Civic Theatre. In the same February 8, 2013 biog, Ryan
discussed a summary judgment ruling against him in a lawsuit he brought against the
Civic Theatre for wrongful discharge from employment. Ryan wrote:
10
No. 31837-1-lll — dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
Ironically, this is likely a huge disappointment for Yvonne AK.
Johnson and Civic’s Board of Directors. This was their best chance to
make this go away without spending money. It was handled by their
insurance company and had the potential to end this all with a settlement
and a non-disclosure agreement. if i had to guess, Ms. Johnson praying
against hope that they would write me a check and shut me up for good. So
this has a silver lining.
CP at 100.
The blog also stated:
1 must also mention that it has come to my attention that Yvonne
AK. Johnson used information obtained during the discovery phase of my
suit to intimidate individuals cited in the documents I was legally obliged to
provide. '
CP at 100.
Yvonne Johnson denied intimidating witnesses, so James Ryan filed a declaration
in this suit identifying the source of his information about intimidation. Before posting
the February 8, 20l3 blog, Troy Nickerson, a Spokane theater director, informed. Ryan
that Michelle Hoiland claimed she had been intimidated. by Johnson. Ryan had identified
Holland as a witness in his lawsuit against the Civic Theatre for wrongful. discharge.
Michelie Holland, a former employee of the Spokane Civic Theatre, signed a
declaration in support of James Ryan’s anthSLAPP motion. Holland knew that parties
exchanged information in discovery in Ryan’s lawsuit against the Theatre and that Ryan
identified her as a witness in discovery. Yvonne Johnson approached Holland after this
exchange of witnesses. Although Holiand could not recall Johnson’s statements
verbatim, Johnson toid Holland something along the lines of “‘I don’t know why you
il
No. 31837-l-Hi — dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
Ironically, this is likely a huge disappointment for Yvonne AK.
Johnson and Civic’s Board of Directors. This was their best chance to
make this go away without spending money. It was handled by their
insurance company and had the potential to end this all with a settlement
and a non-disclosure agreement. If I had to guess, Ms. Johnson praying
against hope that they would write me a check and shut me up for good. So
this has a silver lining.
CP at 100.
The biog also stated:
1 must also mention that it has come to my attention that Yvonne
AK. Johnson used information obtained during the discovery phase of my
suit to intimidate individuals cited in the documents 1 was legally obliged to
provide.
C? at 100.
Yvonne Johnson denied intimidating witnesses, so J antes Ryan filed a declaration
in this suit identifying the source of his information about intimidation. Before posting
the February 8, 2013 blog, Troy Nickerson, a Spokane theater director, informed Ryan
that Micheile Holland ciaiined she had been intimidated by Johnson. Ryan had identified
Hotiand as a witness in his lawsuit against the Civic Theatre for wrongful discharge.
Michelle Holland, a former empioyee of the Spokane Civic Theatre, signed a
deciaration in support of James Ryan’s anti—SLAPP motion. Hoiiand knew that parties
exchanged information in discovery in Ryan’s lawsuit against the Theatre and that Ryan
identified her as a witness in discovery. Yvonne Johnson approached I‘iolland after this
exchange of witnesses. Although Hoitand could not recall J ohnson’s statements
verbatim, Johnson told Holland something along the lines of “‘1 don’t know why you
11
No. 31837-l-Ill - dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
don’t like me. 1 know several personal things about you that I do not go around telling
people.’ ” CP at 130. Johnson then proceeded to list private personal things about
Holland. Holland concluded that Johnson meant to intimidate her.
in a March 20, 202:3, blog on Civic Doody, James Ryan wrote:
Something Stinketh at Spokane Civic Theatre
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013
So Sue Me!
I’m torn. The truth is that I would love nothing more than for Ms.
Johnson to file suit against me. i would absolutely love to see her flush a
bunch of her own cash down the toilet only to be right back where she
started once her frivolous claims are shut down by ajudge or a jury. l
would love to see her continue to deal with the consequences of her actions
on a daily basis, as 1 do. l would love for her to remain as preternaturally
fixated on my doings as I am on obtaining justice for what she did to us.
But it just seems absurd. . .
Yvonne AK. Johnson and Civic have yet to initiate a successful
action against me. They fought my Washington State unemployment claim
and lost when the state found that no misconduct had occurred on any part.
She and her “board of directors” threatened to sue me for trademark
infringement and defamation but apparently didn’t have. anything to back
up those claims because they never filed suit. They instead filed a UDRP
complaint against me with the Worid Intellectual PrOperty Forum (at a cost
of several thousand dollar‘s)——and they lost. Now Ms. Johnson is
reiterating her absurd claim of defamationwwhich is really just another
way of saying “I don’t like the mean things you’re saying about mel‘Le
along with a new claim of tortious interference, this time through her
personal attorney. If the goal has been to draw this out for as long as
possible and garner lots of negative attention for the theatre, Ms. Johnson
and her “board” have succeeded spectacularly.
All doubt about the wrongness of Civic’s actions was erased long
ago. All anyone needs to know is this: Every other major theatre in the
region has hired me since Civic fired. me. interplayers, Lake City
Playhouse, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, Gonzaga University, and
others. All of these institutions saw no problem with the “offense” that was
so terrible that Civic had to fire me two months after my family and l
moved across the country and bought a house here. You’d think I’d be an
untouchable after that, wouldn’t you? I would be, if I had actually done
12
No. 3i837-1—iii ~ dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
anything wrong. (Unfortunately, the combined wages from all of these
shortaterm gigs has not come close to providing a wage that is comparable
even to the meager saiary I moved here for.)
So we can continue this saga for as long as Civic wants. I have
tremendous patience. Occasionally, some well~meaning person will
suggest that i’m “never going to get anything out of them,” and that i
should move on for my own weliubeing. i appreciate and understand the
sentiment, but the truth is this: it has never once—not once—occurred to
me that I wili not get the justice I seek. It just hasn’t. And so while I am
grateful for the concern that motivates those suggestions, 1 cannot get past
one simpie, fundamentai counter—argument: Why would i? i am
objectively right. They are demonstrably wrong.
I was given ten days to cease and desist. That deadline passed last
week, as I have no intention of doing any such thing. So sue me. . .
CP at 7.
According to James Ryan, he learned, after his termination from employment from
the Spokane Civic Theatre, of a great breadth and depth of continuing frustration with
leadership of the Theatre. He learned of widespread opinion that Yvonne Johnson’s
autocratic leadership ster harmed both the volunteers at the Civic Theatre and the
Spokane community as a whole.
James Ryan claims continuing involvement with Spokane area arts and
entertainment. Since his termination from the Civic Theatre, Ryan has worked at all
similar theaters in the region and has donated his services for fundraisers.
James Ryan insists that he only publishes, on his biogs, facts that he witnessed or
confirmed through investigation and research. Ryan ciaims he does not publish rumors.
He believes alt factual statements on his blog to be true. 'As of May 24, 2013, James
Ryan’s biog had received over 36,000 hits.
13
No. 318374-111 — dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
PROCEDURE
Yvonne Johnson filed suit against James Ryan for intentional interference With
business expectancy and defamation. Johnson sought damages and injunctive relief.
James Ryan brought a motion, pursuant to RCW 4.24.525, the anti-SLAPP statute,
asking that the court strike Yvonne Johnson’s complaint, award him $10,000 in damages
under the statute, and award him reasonable attorney fees and costs. In his anti-SLAPI3
motion, Ryan argued that his online postings intended to provide a pubiic forum for
discussion and dissemination of commentary, complaints, and information related to the
Spokane Civic Theatre. He asserted that his online cyber-conduct addressed matters of
public concern as evidenced by the amount of Internet traffic to his blogs.
The Spokane County Superior Court granted James Ryan’s anti-SLAPP motion
after concluding that Ryan’s online biogging activity addressed a matter of public
concern. The trial court also concluded that Yvonne Johnson did not show a probability
that she would prevail on either her tortious interference with business expectancy or
defamation claims.
On appeal, Yvonne Johnson contends the trial. court erroneously classified Ryan’s
statements as statements of “public concern” for purposes of the anti—SLAPP statute.
Johnson characterizes Ryan’s attacks on her as a “wholly private” employment dispute
between a disgruntled err-employee and his supervisor. In so arguing, Johnson
14
No. 31837—l-lll — dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
emphasizes blogs, in which Ryan discusses his goal. to obtain vengeance and money from
the Spokane Civic Theatre.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
Washington Anti-SLAP)D Statute -
The majority has outlined the provisions of and background to the 2010 Act
Limiting Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation. LAWS OF 20l0, ch. 118, § 4.
The legislature directed the courts to liberally interpret the Act. Akrz’e v. Grant, 178 Wn.
App. 506, 315 P.3d 567 (208), review granted, 180 Wash. 2d 1008, 325 P.3d 913 (2014).
“This act shall be applied and construed liberally to effectuate its general purpose of
protecting participants in public controversies from an abusive use of the courts.”
LAWSOF 2010, ch. llS, § 3.
Because of its length, RCW 4.24.525, the anti~SLAPP statute, requires a scorecard
to review. In order to understand the substance of the statute, one must refer to
definitions of words found at the statute’s beginning. RCW 4.24.525(4)(a) allows a party
to bring a special motion to strike a claim that is based on an “action involving public
participation and petition.” Section 2 identifies the communications protected by the
statute, most of which communications are directed to the government. Nevertheless, the
statute also protects free speech in other contexts. The statute reads, in relevant part:
(2) This section applies to any claim, however characterized, that is
based on an action involving public participation and petition. As used in
this section, an “action involving public participation and petition”
includes:
15
N0. 31837-1411» dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
(d) Any oral statement made, or written statement or other
document submitted, in a place open to the public or a publicforum in
connection with an issue of public concern; or
(c) Any other lawful conduct in furtherance of the exercise ofllze
constitutional righl offree Speech in connection with an issue of public
concern.
RCW 4.24.525 (emphasis added).
Note that the statute uses “in connection with an issue of public concern” in two
settings: (1) when the defendant renders a statement on an issue of public concern in a
place open to the public or in a public forum, (subsection (d)), and; (2) when the
defendant engages in conduct in connection with an-issue of pubiic concern while
exercising his constitutional right of free speech, (subsection (e)). The majority and t
focus on subsection (d).
The majority concedes that James Ryan wrote the subject statements on the
internet and that the Internet is a public forum, ComputerXpress, Inc. v. Jackson, 93 Cal.
App. 4th 993, 1 13 Cal. Rptr. 2d 625 (2001). The crux of the appeai therefore becomes
whether Ryan uttered a statement “in connection with an issue of public concern.” This
court must wrestle with the amorphous clause “in connection with an issue ofpubiic
concern” and decide whether James Ryan’s computer-generated fuiminating falls within
the scope of the fluid phrase. Because of the flexibility of the critical term, i extensively
explore definitions, Washington case iaw, and foreign law to seek an answer.
“The court’s duty in statutory interpretation is to discern and implement the
legislature’s intent.” Lowy v. PeaceHealtlz, 174 Wash. 2d 769, 779, 280 P.3d 1078 (2012).
i6
No. 31837-1—lll
Johnson 12. Ryan
He asserted that his online cyber-conduct addressed matters of public concern, evidenced
by internet traffic the blog purportedly received. Ms. Johnson countered that the postings
were merely a private concern and not protected by the statute.
The trial court granted Ryan’s motion after concluding that Ryan’s online blogging
activity addressed speech on a matter of public concern. The trial court awarded Ryan
$10,000 in statutory damages and $8,358.40 in reasonable attorney fees and costs.
Johnson appealed.
LAW AND ANALYSIS
in 1989. Washington adopted the nation’s first anti—SLAPP law, stiil codified
under RCW 4.24.500 to .520. The law, known as the Brenda Hill Bill, provides immunity
from civil liability for claims based on goodmfaith communication with the government
regarding any matter of public concern. Torn Wyrwich, A Cure for a “Public Concern
Washington ’3 New AntivSLAPP Law, 86 WASH. L. REV. 663, 669 (2011). The Brenda
Hill Bill was not Without defect, since it did not provide a method for eariy dismissal. Id.
With courts unable to dismiss SLAPPS before discovery, defendants had no means of
escaping the significant legal expenses SLAPPS purposefully inflicted. 1d. at 669—70.
In March 20i0, the Washington Legislature passed its Act Limiting Strategic
Lawsuits Against Public Participation. LAWS OF 2010, ch. 118, § 4. The Washington Act
N0. 31837—1411 - dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
To determine legislative intent, this court looks first to the language of the statute. Lacey
Nursing Cin, Inc. v. Dep’t ofRevenue, 128 Wash. 2d 40, 53, 905 P.2d 338 (1995). Both the
majority and I find no help in the language alone ofthe statute to solve this appeal. Thus,
1 look to the liberal construction rule, dictionary definitions, and prior case law in
resolving the question on appeai..
No case addresses whether portions of a defendant’s targeted statement or
statements involve a public concern, while other portions of the statements do not. in
other words,courts do not separate the chaff from the wheat. Winning and losing is an
all or nothing proposition.
[n Connection With
All anti—SLAPP decisions ornit analyzing the prepositional phrase “in connection
with” that precedes the expression “issue ofpublic concern” in RCW 4.24.525.
Merriamw Webster’s Third New International Dictionary variously defines the idiomatic
phrase as the act of connecting, a casual or logical relation or sequence, contextual
relationship, or association. Use ofthe phrase may suggest that speech protected by the
anti~SLAPP statute need not directly be of public concern, as long as there is some
relevant connection between the speech and a subject of public concern.
One California decision mentions that shielded speech need only have “some
attributes” of“pub1ic interest.” Weinberg v. Faisal, 110 Cal. App. 4th 1122, 1132,
2 Cal. Rptr. 3d 385 (2003). The United States Supreme Court and. our court, in First
Amendment cases, have noted that even the slightest tinge of “public concern” is
17
No. 31837—1411 — dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
sufficient to satisfy the eiement of“public concern.” Connie]: v. Myers, 461 US. 138,
147—49, 103 S. Ct. 1684, 75 L13de 708 (1983); Binlcley v. City ofTocomo, 114 Wn.2c§
373, 383 n.8, 787 P.2d 1366 (1990).
This court’s majority contradicts the precedents of Connich and Binlrley when
writing: “in Dillon [1). Seattle Deposition Reporters, LLC., 179 Wash. App. 41, 31.6 P.3d
1119, review granted, 180 Wash. 2d 1009, 325 P.3d 913 (2014)], we find further support for
the proposition that speech that only tangentially implicates a public issue is not a matter
of pubiic concern.” Majority at 18. Our recent decision in Dillon does not support this
proposition. The majority cites the Dillon passage: “‘ [ 1]t is the principal thrust or
grovamen of the plaintiff‘s cause of action that determines whether the anti—SLAPP
statute applies and when the allegations referring to arguably protected activity are only
incidental to a cause of action based essentially on nonprotected activity, coilateral
allusions to protected activity should not subject the cause of action to the anti—SLAP}3
statute.” ” Dillon, 179 Wn. App. at 72 (quoting Martinez v. Metabolife lni’l, Inc, 1 13
Cal. App. 4th 181, 188, 6 Cal. Rptr. 3d 494 (2003)). The majority fails to note that
Dillon borrowed this quote from the California decision Martinez. More importantly, the
“gravamen” to which this passage refers is the gist ofthe legal claims, allegations, and
causes of action of the plaintiff, not the gist of the speech for which the defendant is sued.
1n Dillon, the gravamen of the plaintiff“ s complaint was the defendants” recording of a
conversation without plaintiff’s permission rather than the content of speech.
18
No. 31837-1411 - dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
Dictionary Definitions oanbZic Concern
The anti-SLAPP statute does not define What constitutes an “issue of public
concern.” Undefined statutory terms must be given their usual and ordinary meaning.
Dominic/c v. Christensen, 87 Wash. 2d 25, 27, 548 P.2d 54} (1976); Nationwide Ins. v.
Williams, 71 Wash. App. 336, 342, 858 P.2d 516 (1993).
Black’s Law Dictionary does not define either “pubiic concern” or “concern.”
Black’s defines “public interest,” in relevant part, as: “Something in which the public as a
Whole has a stake.” BLACK’S LAW DicriONARY 1425 (tOth ed. 2014). The same
dictionary defines “interest,” in part as “[t]he object of any human desire.” BLACK’S,
supra, at 934. A lay dictionary defines concern, in part, as a marked interest or regard
and a matter for consideration.
These dictionary definitions provide little assistance in answering our question
other than to suggest that the public as a Whole must be interested in the subject matter. I
assume not every member of the public need be interested in a subject of public concern,
since no topic captures the attention or concern of every person. The interest of a
significant number of citizens is sufficient. The definitions do not distinguish between
the public holding a legitimate interest in the issue or if a prurient or sensational interest
suffices for protection.
I include in the list of dictionary definitions the phrase “public interest.” The
dictionary definitions suggest that the phrases “public concern” and “public interest” are
synonymous. I Will analyze this implication later.
19
No. 31837»i~lll ~ dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
Washington Case Law on Public Concern
Division One of this court, in several current decisions, has boldly gone before us
in addressing the meaning of “public concern” under Washington’s anti-SLAPP statute.
The prior decisions give both. a broad definition and then explore factors to consider
when deciding whether speech contains matters of public concern. Under the broad
definition, speech deals with matters of “public concern” when it can “‘be fairly
considered as relating to any matter of politicai, social, or other concern to the
community.” Spratt v. Toff, 180 Wash. App. 620, 632, 324 P.3d 707 (2014); Davis 12. Cox,
180 Wash. App. 514, 531, 325 P.3d 255 (2014) (quoting Snyder 12. Phelps, 562 US. 443,
131 S. Ct. 1207, 1216, 179 L. Ed. 2d 172 (2011)). Use of factors may arise from the
difficulty in forming a comprehensive and workable definition of“pubiic concern.” The
term “public concern” does not tend itseif to a precise, ail—encompassing definition.
Alaska Structures, Inc. v. Hedlnnd, 180 Wash. App. 591, 599, 323 P.3d 1082 (2014)
(quoting No. 2:13-CV—00116, 2013 WL 4853333, at *5, 2013 US. Dist. LEXIS 129204,
at * 16 (ED. Cal. Sept. 10, 2013)). “‘The boundaries of the public concern test are not
well defined?” Snyder, 131. S. Ct. at 1216 (quoting City ofSan Diego v. Roe, 543 US.
77, 83, 125 S. Ct. 52}, 160 L. Ed. 2d 410 (2004)). Because the legislature’s intent in
adopting RCW 4.24.525 was to address lawsuits brought primarily to chill. the valid
exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of
grievances, this court looks to First Amendment cases to aid in its interpretation. Davis,
180 Wn. App. at 530; City ofSecane v. Egan, i79 Wn. App. 333, 338, 317 P.3d 56820
No. 31837—1-111- dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
(2014) (quoting LAWS OF 2010, ch. 118, § l(i)(a)).
Alaska Structures 12. Hedland, 180 Wash. App. 591 (2014) presents the fuilest
analysis of the phrase “public concern.” The Hedlund court employed the California
decision, Rivera v. American Federation ofSrate, County, and Municipal Employees,
AFL—CIO, 105 Cal. App. 4th 913, 924, 130 Cal. Rptr. 2d 81 (2003), for outlining a series
of categories for determining whether a statement implicates an issue of public interest
and faits within the protection of the anti-SLAPP statute. Hedlund, 180 Wn. App. at
599-600. The first category comprises instances when the statement was of “a person or
entity in the public eye.” The second category comprises circumstances when the
statement “involved conduct that could affect a large number ofpeopie beyond the direct
participants.” A third category comprises situations when the statement entailed “a topic
of widespread, public interest.”
The Hedlund court also quoted from Weinberg v. Feisel, 110 Cal. App. 4th 1122,
_ l l32, 2 Cal. Rptr. 3d 385 (2003), when sketching relevant factors for determining an
issue of public concern or public interest. Public interest does not equate with mere
curiosity. A matter of public interest should be something of concern to a substantial
number of people. A matter of concern to the speaker and a relatively small, specific
audience is not a matter of public interest. There should be some degree of closeness
between the challenged statements and the asserted public interest, The assertion of a
broad and amorphous public interest is not sufficient. The focus of the speaker’s conduct
shouid be the public interest rather than a mere effort to gather ammunition for another
21
No. 3 1837—1-11} — dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
round of private controversy. Those charged with defamation cannot make their target
into a public figure. Alaska Structures, Inc. v. Hedluna’, 180 Wn. App. at 602—03.
In a defamation case, this court explored the meaning of “public concern” in the
context of a news story about a lawsuit brought by Microsoft for software piracy.
Whether an allegedly defamatory statement pertains to a matter of
public concern depends on the content, form, and context of the statement
as shown by the entire record. Here, the challenged story relates to a court
decision resolving an intellectual property dispute between a major
software manufacturer and a local retailer. Viewed narrowly, the story
pertains to a private dispute between two business entities. In a broader
context, however, the dispute touches on a matter of public importance,
software piracy. The public concern is heightened by the fact that Alpine
apparently sold counterfeit software to the general consumer. In an age
where the use of personal computers is widespread, the retail distribution of
pirated software is a matter of acute importance to general consumers. This
is a matter where the First Amendment plays a role in ensuring the free
flow of information to the public. Accordingly, the Dan (it BradstreerL Inc.
v. Greenmoss Builders, Inc, 472 US. 749, lOS S. Ct. 2939, 86 L. Ed. 2d
593 (1985)] factors indicate the Alpine case was a matter of public concern
deserving of heightened protection.
Alpine Indus. Computers, Inc. v. Cowles Publ’g Co, ll4 Wn. App. 371, 393-94, 57 P.3d
l 178 (2002) (citation omitted). The decision illustrates that a private dispute and a
iawsuit may be of public concern.
The majority relies on Tyner v. Department ofSocz'aZ & Health Services (DSHS),
137 Wash. App. 545, 154 P.3d 920 (2007) for concluding that James Ryan’s speech was
not in connection with an issue of public concern. DSHS discharged Paula Tyner as part
of a reduction in force, but subsequently reassigned her to a different position. She sued
claiming DSHS reassigned her in retaliation for her exercising free speech rights. Tyner
22
No. 3i837~l~iii — dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
lacks a correlation to anti—SLAP? law, because of the unique test employed when
determining whether the government violates an empioyee’s free speech rights when
discharging or demoting a government employee after the employee criticizes the
employer. The court balances the employee’s interest with the interest of the government
in promoting the efficiency of the public services. The government has legitimate
interests in. regulating the speech of its employees that differ significantly from its interest
in regulating the speech of people generally. Binkley v. City of Tacoma, 114 Wash. 2d 373,
381-82, 787 P.2d 1366 (£990).
More importantly, the Tyner court noted that speech on the job generally is not a
matter of public concern because the speech is not disseminated to the public. Paula
Tyner’s communication occurred in the work setting. The court held that “a comment
addressed solely to an internal audience without any intent to bring it to the public’s
attention does not constitute a matter of public concern.” 137 Wn. App. at 558. Our
majority ignores this holding. James Ryan wrote his blog after being discharged from
empioyment and he disseminated his comments to the Spokane public, if not the
universal public. According to Ryan’s unchallenged testimony his blogs received over
36,000 hits. James Ryan was no longer employed when he posted his blogs.
The majority discusses at length While 12. State, 131 Wn.2d l, 929 P.2d 396(1997). Judy White, an employee at a state nursing home, alleged the State transferred
her to a new position, in violation of her First Amendment rights, in retaliation for
reporting patient abuse. The court held: “The fact that White may have had a personal
23
No. 31837sl~111~ dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
interest in reporting the incident does not diminish the concern the public would have in
this matter.” 131 Wn.2d at 13. The court held White’s speech to be a matter of public
concern. The court dismissed the suit, however, because White failed to establish a
causal connection between her transfer and her protected Speech. The White decision
supports a ruling in favor of James Ryan.
We should apply the anti—SLAP}? statute liberally and provide protection to a
speaker if his speech has the slightest shade of public concern. Even ignoring these two
guidelines, the factors and categories outiined in Hedluna’ compel a conclusion that James
Ryan’s speech, for which Yvonne Johnson sues, embraces an issue of public concern.
When ruling that James Ryan’s writings lie outside the protection of Washington’s
anti-SLAPP statute, the majority cherry picks a few sentences of Ryan’s prose, omits a
review of the complete blogs, and ignores the backgrounds of the Spokane Civic Theatre
and Yvonne Johnson. Spokane’s leading newspaper quoted Johnson as a gift to the
community, who enabled the Spokane Civic Theatre to regain its standards as a glorious
and reliable area theater. Johnson was the Civic Theatre’s face to the Spokane public and
other arts organizations. The Civic Theatre fired Ryan because he did not fulfill “high
public standards charged to representatives of the Theatre.” C? at 84. According to
Yvonne Johnson, Ryan’s actions were “public actions” that must satisfy the T heatre’s
diverse community. Because the Spokane Civic Theatre depends on the goodwill of the
greater Spokane metropolitan area, Ryan’s conduct exposed the Theatre to “public
scandai” and. oblivion. According to Johnson, the Civic Theatre is a vanguard of the
24
No. 31837-i—IH - dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
dramatic arts in Spokane that must push the boundaries of creativity and expression for
the betterment of the community. Art is considered a matter ofpublic concern. United
States v. Alvarez, U.S. M, 132 S. Ct. 2537, 2564, 183 L. Ed. 2d 574 (2012); State v.
Crowley, 819 N.W.2d 94, 124 (Minn. 2012).
The following is a paraphrased list of comments uttered by James Ryan in his
blogs:
Yvonne Johnsoncapitulated to an extortionist but took no steps to
learn the identity of the extortionist.
The Spokane Civic Theatre, through Yvonne Johnson, wrongly
challenged my application for unemployment compensation.
Yvonne Johnson filed false allegations with the Department of
Employment Security.
Yvonne Johnson falsely accused me of exposing the Spokane Civic
Theatre to public scandal and obscurity.
The Spokane Civic Theatre uttered lies before the Department of
Employment Security.
The Spokane Civic Theatre falsely accused me, in the Employment
Security proceeding of deliberate iiiegai acts and provoking violence.
The Spokane Civic Theatre cast slanderous a‘spersions against a
former employee in a government proceeding.
1 prevaiied in my unemployment compensation claim._
Yvonne Johnson is not an honest and interpersonally competent
executive.
Yvonne Johnson caused undue drama in the drama department.
Yvonne Johnson is malicious.
Yvonne Johnson does not act in the best interest of the Spokane
Civic Theatre.
Yvonne Johnson exposed the Spokane Civic Theatre to a defamation
claim.
Johnson caused irreparable harm to the Spokane Civic Theatre.
Yvonne Johnson and the Board of the Spokane Civic Theatre are
bringing negative attention to the Theatre.
Johnson should resign as Executive Artistic Director of the Spokane
Civic Theatre.
Yvonne Johnson and the Board of Directors of the Spokane Civic
25
No. 31837—1—111— dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
Theatre shouid be publicly heid accountable.
Yvonne Johnson seeks to leave the Spokane Civic Theatre to find a
better and biggerjob.
Yvonne Johnson will bring drama and divisiveness to any new
employer.
Potential employers of Yvonne Johnson should contact me.
Few defendants win in claims brought, in front of a Uniform
Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy panel, for violating a right to a
domain name, but I won on a claim brought by the Spokane Civic Theatre.
Yvonne Johnson and the Board of the Spokane Civic Theatre wasted
several thousand dollars of Theatre money by suing me for domain name
infringement.
‘ I lost my wrongful discharge suit against the Spokane Civic Theatre,
which is a disappointment to Yvonne Johnson since my winning the suit
wouid have satisfied my desire for payment.
Because of the dismissal of the wrongde discharge ease, the
Spokane Civic Theatre must pay serious money to settle my claims.
Yvonne Johnson intimidated a witness in my wrongful discharge
suit.
Yvonne Johnson threatens to sue me for defamation and tortious
interference.
The deadline imposed by Yvonne Johnson for suing has passed
without my responding.
Yvonne Johnson can sue me.
All other major theatres in the Inland Empire have hired me since
my tiring from the Spokane Civic Theatre.
Well meaning people tell me that I will receive no money from the
Spokane Civic Theatre.
1 am right and the Spokane Civic Theatre is wrong.
1 wild receive justice.
I will not end my campaign to hoid Yvonne Johnson accountable.
In one or two paragraphs of his several blogs, James Ryan discuSSes his desire to
receive vindication and compensation. The overwhehning discussion, however, is of the
mismanagement of the Spokane Civic Theatre by Yvonne Johnson and its board of
directors. The management of the Theatre impacts many inland Empirites, not only
26
No. 31837~l~lll
Johnson 1/. Ryan
protects the free expression of Washington citizens by shielding them from meritless
lawsuits designed only to incur costs and chill future expression. Wyrwich, supra, at 663.
The 2010 Washington Act contains a declaration of purpose:
(1) The legislature finds and declares that:
(a) It is concerned about laWsuits brought primarily to chill the valid
exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of Speech and petition for
the redress of grievances;
(b) Such lawsuits, called “Strategic Lawsuits Against Public
Participation” or “SLAPPS,” are typically dismissed as groundless or
unconstitutional, but often not before the defendants are put to great
expense, harassment, and interruption of their productive activities;
(0) The costs associated with defending such suits can deter
individuals and entities from fully exercising their constitutional rights to
petition the government and to speak out on public issues;
(d) it is in the public interest for citizens to participate in matters of
public concern and provide information to public entities and other citizens
on. public issues that affect them without fear of reprisal through abuse of
the judicial process; and
(e) An expedited judicial review would avoid the potential for abuse
in these cases.
(2) The purposes of this act are to:
(a) Strike a balance between the rights of persons to tile lawsuits
and to trial by jury and the rights of persons to participate in matters of
public concern;
(b) Establish an efficient, uniform, and comprehensive method for
speedy adjudication of strategic lawsuits against public participation; and
(c) Provide for attorneys5 fees, costs, and additional relief where
appropriate.
LAWS OF 2010,0h.11.8,§1.
N0. 31837~l~Hi w dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
James Ryan and Yvonne Johnson. At least one thousand volunteers and donors assist the
Civic Theatre. More attend Theatre productions.
The public should know if Yvonne Johnson mismanages the Spokane Civic
Theatre. The public shouid also know if Johnson is wasting money on litigation, lying to
government entities, and intimidating a witness. James Ryan is engaged in a controversy
with Yvonne Johnson, but his blogs have not sought ammunition to assist in the
iitigation. Johnson and the Spokane Civic Theatre were already in the public eye before
they tired James Ryan.
A consideration of the relief sought by the party asserting the cause of action can
he a determinative factor when resciving the question of whether speech is of a public
concern for purposes of the anti—SL/iLPl3 statute. Davis 12. Cox, 180 Wash. App. 514, 523,
325 P.3d 255 (2014). A prayer for injunctive relief to preciude the defendant from
speaking is a factor favoring granting an anti-SLAP? motion to strike, Davis, 180 Wn.
App. at 523. Yvonne Johnson seeks injunctive relief against James Ryan for continuing
to post blogs. She seeks a prior restraint on James Ryan’s First Amendment rights.
California Case Law on Public Concern
Washington decisions alone compel a ruiing in favor of James Ryan.
Nevertheless, i beiieve California anti-SLAPP decisions boister the conclusion that Ryan
uttered speech in connection with an issue of public concern. Therefore, I address
whether a Washington court may rely on California decisions.
27
No. 3 i837- 1 -HI - dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
The majority emphasizes that the California anti-SLAPP statute uses the phrase
“public interest,” whereas the Washington statute ernpioys the term “public concern.” in
turn, the majority applies the principle of statutory construction that, if our legislature
modifies a provision of the borrowed statute, the legislature rejects the case iaw decided
under the contrary language in the borrowed statute. The majority, however, fails to
explain the difference between “public concern” and “public interest.” The majority
I withholds enlightenment as to the practical implications between distinguishing between
a. subject of public interest and a topic of public concern. The majority provides no
example as to a different outcome depending which phrase is used, nor does it address
whether there wouid be a different outcome in this appeal under the California statute.
The majority, upon noting the difference in the. wording between the Washington
and California statutes, implies that Washington courts should not rely on California
decisions because the California statutory language covers more subjects and affords the
speaker greater protection than Washington’s statutory language. Nevertheless, we do
not know why the Washington Legislature changed the statutory language from “pubiic
interest” to “public concern.” The Act’s legislative history reveals nothing to explain this
deviation from the California statute. Torn Wyrwich, A Cure for a “Public Concern
Washington ’5 New Ami~SLAPP Law, 86 WASH. L. REV. 663, 684—85 (20] 1). We do not
know if the Washington Legislature eonciuded that the Caiifornia anti-SLAPP statute
was too broad. For all we know, the opposite is truewthat the Washington Legislature
thought “pubiic concern” covered more subjects and provided the speaker greater
28
No. 31837-1-Hl» dissent
Johnson 12. Ryan
protection than California’s phrase of “public interest.” If this is true, California
decisions, to the extent they protect the defendants” speech, are helpful because the
Washington statute covers at least the subjects covered by the California statute. Since
the Washington Legislature wanted the Washington anti-SLAPP statute applied liberally,
we should conclude that the Washington. statute provides the same protections, if not
more protection, than the California statute. I
A possible explanation for the difference between the California and Washington
statutes is the Washington Legislature’s desire for courts to employ First Amendment
decisions when construing the anti—SLAPP statute because First Amendment decisions
use the expression “public concern.” Wyrwich, supra, at 685. This explanation falls
short, however, since California cases also look to First Amendment cases when applying
_ its anti-SLAP? statute. Weinberg v. Faisal, llO Cal. App. 4th 1122, 1132, 2 Cal. Rptr. 3d
385 (2003).
Contrary to the majority’s position, Washington courts look to California
decisions in answering questions posed by the anti—SLAPP statute. Spratt v. Taft, 180
Wash. App. 620, 63081, 324 P.3d 707 (20%); Alaska Structures, Inc. v. Hedlund, 180 Wn.
App. 591., 602—03, 323 P.3d. 1082 (2014). Washington courts have never held that
California decisions addressing the nature of “public interest” are inapposite when
addressing the nature of “public concern.” To the contrary, the Headland court cited. and
used fifteen California cases when exploring the extent of “an issue of public concern.”
Alaska Structures, Inc. v. Hedlund, 180 Wn. App. at 599—603. Our majority even
29
No. 318374-111 ~ dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
includes a quote from the California decision of Weinberg in construing the meaning of
“public concern,” despite earlier proclaiming to disown California case law. Majority at
13-14.
The majority also uses California law when it erroneously claims that speech that
only tangentially implicates a public issue is not a matter of public concern. Majority at
18. T he majority cites Dillon v. Seattie Deposition Reporters, 179 Wn. App. at 72 (2014)
for the misplaced proposition, but the Dilion language comes from Martinez 12.
Metabolife International, Inc, 113 Cal. App. 4th 181, 188, 6 Cal. Rptr. 3d 494 (2.003).
The majority cites California decisions when California law suits its purposes.
in another setting, the Washington Supreme Court used the terms public “interest”
and “concern” interchangeably. See Taskett V. KING Broadcasting Co, 86 Wash. 2d 439,
440, 442, 444, 546 P.2d 81 (1976). in her briefing, Yvonne Johnson relies on California
cases when arguing what constitutes an issue of “public concern.” in short, we should
look to California decisions when deciding if a defendant’s statements deserve protection
under the Washington anti—SLAPP statute. Although the Washington statute and case
law is sufficient to hold James Ryan’s speech of public concern, California cases bolster
this conclusion.
Based on the three categories found in Rivera v. American Federation ofState,
County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, 105 Cal. App. 4th 913, 130 Cal. Rptr. 2d
81 (2003), California cases hold that consumer information posted on web sites concern
issues of public interest. Makaeflv. Trump Univ., LLC, 715 F.3d 254, 262 (9th Cir.
30
No. 318374—111 — dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
2013) (applying California law); Wong v. TaiJing, 189 Cal. App. 4th 1354, 117 Cal.
Rptr. 3d 747 (2010); Gilbert v. Sykes, 147 Cal. App. 4th 13,23, 53 Cal. Rptr. 3d 752(2007). In Gilbert, the court held a patients-statements about a plastic surgeon were of
public interest because the information provided was material to potential consumers
“contemplating plastic surgery.” in Wong, a review on Yeipcom criticizing dental
services and discussing the use of silver amalgam, raised issues of public interest. The
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in Makaejf held that statements warning consumers of
fraudulent or deceptive business practices constitute a topic of widespread public interest,
so long as they are provided in the context of information helpful to consumers.
Although theatergoers may not be characterized as consumers, they are customers
or patrons of the arts. Providing them information on the management of the Spokane
Civic Theatre should be a matter of public concern.
Other California decisions stand for additional propositions. Even purely private
speech may be covered by an anti—SLAP? statute if it concerns a public issue. Averill v.
Superior Court, 42 Cal. App. 4th 1 170, £174, 50 Cal. Rptr. 2d 62 (1996). The creative
process underlying the production of arts and entertainment is a matter of public concern.
Tamkz'n 1/. CBS Broadcasting, Inc, 193 Cal. App, 4th 133, M344, 122 Cal. Rptr. 3d 264(2011). Unilattering speech by a former employee about working conditions at a private
company is an issue of public interest when the company and its founder spent a great
deal of money and effort to promote the business. Nygard, Inc. v. Timo UnsimKertIulo,
159 Cal. App. 4th 1027, 1033, 1042, 72 Cal. Rptr. 3d 210 (2008). Unflattering Speech on
31
No. 31837~l~lll ~ dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
a “Rants and Raves” website by a former employee about a private bank’s management
decisions was a public issue when the bank actively promoted itself as a “community
partner” and its chief executive officer had been the subject of media attention. Summit
Bank v Rogers, 206 Cal. App. 4th 669, 694, 142 Cal, Rptr. 3d 40 (2012). Under the
California anti~SLAPP statute, statements held to involve issues of public interest include
criticism of the management of a publicly traded company. CompulerXpress, Inc. v.
Jackson, 93 Cal. App. 4th 993, 1007-08, 113 Cal. Rptr. 2d 625 (2001); Global Telemedz'a
Int’l, Inc. v. Doe, 132 F. Supp. 2d 1261 (CD. Cal. 200l). Examples ofmatters ofpublic
interest may include activities of private entities that may impact the lives of many
individuals. Church ofScierztology v. Wollershelm, 42 Cal. App. 4th 628, 650, 49 Cal.
Rptr. 2d 620 (1.996).
A California court also held criticism of the manager of a homeowners association
to be a matter of public interest. Damon v. Ocean Hills Journalism Club, 85 Cal. App.
4th 468, 479, 102 Cal. Rptr. 2d 205 (2000). In the latter case, the management and
welfare of a large residential community was a matter of public interest. The Damon
court noted the mandate to broadly construe the anti—SLAPP statute, The antimSLAP'P
statute applies regardless of whether the “primary purpose” of the lawsuit is to vindicate
the damage done to plaintiff’s reputation and not to interfere with the defendant’s
exercise of his free speech rights.
Another case helpful to James Ryan is Averill v. Superior Court, 42 Cal. App. 4th
l 170, 50 Cal. Rptr. 2d 62 (1996). A charitable organization sued Averill after she made
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No. 318374-111 - dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
allegedly slanderous remarks about the organization to her employer. The employer was
supporting the organization’s home for battered women, which Averill publicly opposed.
Even though Averill’s remarks were made in a private setting, the court held the suit
subject to the anti-SLAPP statute. The court stressed the fact that, while the remarks
were private, the subject of the remarkswthe home for battered womenmwas a topic of
considerable public controversy.
Yvonne Johnson emphasizes that the Spokane Civic Theatre is not a government
entity and she argues that she is not a public figure. Johnson ignores, however, that the
Theatre operates by the help of one thousand volunteers and with donations from
throughout the Spokane community. Thus, thousands of Spokanites hold concern about
the operation of the Spokane Civic Theatre. Averill stands for the proposition that a
nonprofit organization can be a matter of public interest and criticism of the organization
can be protected by an antiuSLAPP statute.
Motivation of James Ryan
Yvonne Johnson characterizes James Ryan’s comments as an attempt to coerce,
through slander, a monetary settlement from the Spokane Civic Theatre or herseif. Based
on this characterization, Johnson argues that the anti—SLAP}? statute does not apply
because Ryan seeks to further only personal, financial interests. She contends a
defendant in an ordinary private dispute cannot take advantage of the anti~SLAPP statute
simply because the complaint contains some references to speech or petitioning activity
by the defendant, citing Dillon v. Seattle Deposition Reporter's, LLC, 179 Wash. App. 41,
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No. 31837—l-lll - dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
71, 316 P.3d 1H9, review granted, 180 Wash. 2d 1009, 325 P.3d 913 (2014).
The majority accepts Yvonne Johnson’s portrayal of James Ryan’s speech. The
majority summarizes James Ryan’s speech as: Johnson wrongfuliy terminated me; she
caused me financial damages and embarrassment; I will cause her financial damages and
embarrassment. The majority characterizes these thoughts as the “dominant themes” of
Ryan’s writings. i am nonplused as to how the majority assesses the “dominant theme”
of J ames Ryan’s cyber chatter. A reading of the blogs as a whole shows one of the
dominant themes to be the mismanagement of the Spokane Civic Theatre. The statute
requires a “connection” to public concern not that this concern be the primary motive.
Ryan’s repeated discussion of the Theatre’s mismanagement provides this connection.
I recognize portions of James Ryan’s blogs indirectly seek a financial settlement.
I agree with the ma} orin that James Ryan is obsessed with vengeance. l concede that
Ryan’s attacks on Johnson are unfair. For these reasons, James Ryan is not a sympathetic
defendant, but an undesirable defendant needs the protection afforded by the anti-SLAP}?
statute more than does an attractive defendant.
liven if coercion and vengeance were the prime motivation of James Ryan, the
anti—SLAPP statute does not exclude speech from its protection if the speaker seeks to
gain money, as iong as the content of the speech is a matter of public concern. A fixation
with revenge does not automatically close the door to a determination that the writing is
of public concern. No language in RCW 4.24.525 excludes, from the statute’s shield,
speech motivated by greed or revenge. No case law supports such a contention.
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No. 31837-1-lll - dissent
Johnson v. Ryan
Some of the world’s finest literature addressing a topic of public and grave
concern was written in a spiteful spirit. A prime exainpie is lda Tarbell’s History ofrhe
Standard Oil Company, which depicts John D. Rockefeller, Sr., as a crabbed, miserly,
greedy monopolist. Tarbell penned the book from enmity and vengeance resulting from
Rockefeller’s ruthless tactics that put her father out of the oil business. New York
University listed the book as number five on a 1999 list of the top 100 works of twentieth
century journalism.
Yvonne Johnson was in the public eye as a result of her leading position with a
cherished community theater and newspaper articies praising her performance. One in
the public eye soon learns that unfair attacks often follow public praise. The remedy for
verbal abuse, however, is not found in a lawsuit. Johnson should find some consolation
that many readers find James Ryan’s blogs obsessive, hoorish, and fooiish. Also, a
court’s ruling or this dissenter’s vote for protection of speech does not denote approval of
the speech. Whether hyperbolic or sensational, the speech at issue in this case bears a
connection to an issue of public-concern: Spokane’s Civic Theatre and its management.
Probabflity of Johnson Prevailing on Claims
The antimSLAPP motion procedure statute dictates that, after the moving
party has shown that the claims at issue seek to impose liability for statements “in
connection with an issue of public concern,” “the burden shifts to the responding party to
establish by clear and convincing evidence a probability of prevailing on the claim.”
RCW 4.24.525(2)(d), (4)(b). The majority does not address whether Yvonne Johnson
35
No. 318374-111 - dissent
Johnson 1). Ryan
meets this burden, since the majority rules that James Ryan has not shown his speech
invoived a matter of public concern. in the public interest of brevity and being motivated
by public concern, I will also refrain from anaiyzing this question in detail. 1 agree with
the trial court that Johnson did not meet her burden.
Concurring Opinion
Although the concurring opinion does not seek to base the majority’s decision on
the Washington Constitution, the opinion mentions article 1, section 5 of the Washington
Constitution that demands that a speaker be responsible for the abuse of the right to freely
speak and write. Yvonne Johnson has not asserted this internally inconsistent
constitutional provision as a basis for relief. Johnson quoted the provision in the
introduction. to her reply brief, but did not discuss its application to her claims. Under
RAP 12.1(a), this reviewing court decides a case only on the basis of issues forwarded by
the parties in their briefs.
CONCLUSION
The 2010 anti-SLAP? statute. RCW 4.24.525, iinmunizes James Ryan from the
tort claims of Yvonne Johnson. The triai court’s dismissal of J ohnson’s complaint should
be affirmed
Fearing, J_
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No. 31837—l~lll
Johnson v. Ryan
This declaration of purpose evidences the legislative goals of balancing the rights
of both plaintiffs and defendants, yet allowing expedited judicial review and dismissal of
those defamation claims brought abusiveiy for the primary purpose of chiiiing protected
public speech. The legislature directed courts to apply and construe the Act “liberaiiy to
effectuate its general purpose of protecting participants in public controversies from an
abusive use of the courts.” LAWS OF 2010, ch. 118, 3.
The new addition to Washington’s anti~SLAPP laws is codified at RCW 4.24.525.
RCW 4.24.525(4)(a) allows a party to bring a special motion to strike any claim that is
based on an “action involving public participation and. petition.” Section 4 of the statute
outlines the procedure to follow to respond to a SLAPP suit. T he section provides:
(4)(a) A party may bring a speciai motion to strike any claim that is
based on an action involving pubiic participation and petition, as defined in
subsection (2) of this section.
(b) A moving party bringing a special motion to strike a claim under
this subsection has the initial burden of showing by a preponderance of the
evidence that the claim is based on an action involving public participation
and petition. if the moving party meets this burden, the burden shifts to the
responding party to establish by clear and convincing evidence a probability
of prevailing on the claim. If the responding party meets this burden, the
court shali deny the motion.
(0) in making a determination under (b) of this subsection, the court
shall consider pleadings and supporting and opposing affidavits stating the
facts upon which the liability or defense is based. '
RCW 4.24.525.
No. 31837-1—iii
Johnson 12. Ryan
In deciding an anti~SLAPP motion, a court must follow a two step
process. A party moving to strike a claim has the initial. burden of
showing by a preponderance of the evidence that the ciairn targets
activity “involving public participation and petition,” as defined in
RCW 4.2455(2). US. Mission Corp. v. KIRO TV, Inc, 172 Wn.
App. 767, 782-83, 292 P.3d £37, review denied, 177 Wash. 2d 1014,
302 P.3d 181 (2013). If the moving party meets this burden, the
burden shifts to the responding party “to establish by clear and
convincing evidence a probability of prevailing on the ciaim.”
RCW 4.24.525(4)(b). If the responding party fails to meet its
burden, the court must grant the motion, dismiss the offending claim,
and award the moving party statutory damages of $10,000 in
addition to attorney fees and costs. RCW 4.24.525(6)(a)(i), (ii).
Davis v. Cox, E80 Wn. App. 514, 528, 325 P.3d 255 (2014) (quoting Dillon 12.
Seattle Deposition Reporters, LLC, 179 Wash. App. 41, 67-68, 316 P.3d 1119,
review granted, 180 Wash. 2d 1009, 325 P.3d 913 (2014)).
Because RCW 4.24.5 25 provides an expedited summary judgment procedure,
courts appiy summary judgment standards when ruling upon RCW 4.24.525 motions to
strike: “ ‘ [Tjhe trial court may not find facts, but rather must View the facts and all
reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the plaintiff.” ” Davis, 180 Wn. App.
at 528 (quoting Dillon, E79 Wn. App. at 90). in addition, we review the grant or denial of
an anti—SLAPP motion de novo. Dillon, 179 Wn. App. at 70; City ofLongview v. Wallin,
174 Wash. App. 763, 776, 301 P.3d 45, review denied, 178 Wash. 2d 1020, 312 P.3d 650(2013).
10