Sinagra v Costello

Holding The court affirmed the dismissal of the defamation complaint, determining that the challenged statements by town officials were protected expressions of opinion rather than actionable assertions of fact. The court found that the remarks were not reasonably susceptible of a defamatory meaning and did not imply undisclosed facts detrimental to the plaintiff.

The court’s words

the controversy and [plaintiff's] handling of it played a role in how well the town Police Department was functioning

2026 NY Slip Op 06500, at the official text

policies that weren't effective and just caused animosity

2026 NY Slip Op 06500, at the official text

We are diligently cultivating a better workplace for the Police Department

2026 NY Slip Op 06500, at the official text

bring integrity back to this department [and] restore stability within the department

2026 NY Slip Op 06500, at the official text

a reasonable listener would understand defendants to be expressing conclusions drawn from publicly available information

2026 NY Slip Op 06500, at the official text