Judge rejects former Angels employee’s defamation lawsuit against team [The Orange County Register]
Jan. 26 A defamation lawsuit filed against the Angels and Major League Baseball was dismissed in a ruling issued on Monday by the Orange County Superior Court.
Judge Geoffrey T. Glass issued a ruling stating that fired Angels clubhouse manager Brian Harkins had not shown sufficient evidence that he had been defamed by publicity surrounding his dismissal last March. He was fired for providing pitchers with materials to doctor baseballs, in violation of MLB rules.
A hearing was held on Thursday and the ruling released on Monday. Dan Rasmussen, an attorney for Harkins, indicated he plans to appeal.
Judge Geoffrey T. Glass granted the defendants motion to dismiss the complaint on Monday, saying Harkins did not provide sufficient evidence that he was defamed in news reports in the wake of his firing. Published statements do not support the allegation that MLB or the Angels authorized those statements, Glass wrote, per the
Times. In order to hold an organization liable for defamation, the person saying the defamatory things must be authorized to speak on behalf of the organization.
In news reports on Harkins s firing, sources confirming his dismissal were unnamed, limiting his ability to prove who defamed him.
Daniel Rasmussen, an attorney for Harkins, said he plans to appeal the ruling.
Print
For three young men, Friday marked the beginning of a new chapter of their lives this one free from the felonies they were convicted of.
The Orange County Young Adult Court, a collaborative program for first-time nonviolent felony offenders between the ages of 18 and 23, graduated three of its initial 25 participants with tearful goodbyes as Orange County Superior Court Judge Maria Hernandez reduced or dismissed their convictions.
Hernandez said she wished everyone who had a hand in the cases could be present in person, but current restrictions forbid it as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Orange County.
The first graduate of the program finished in July.
UpdatedFri, Jan 22, 2021 at 4:17 pm PT
Replies(7)
Ralph Gracie holds a 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, according to the DA s office. (Shutterstock)
DANVILLE, CA A Danville man and professional mixed martial artist was sentenced to spend six months in jail Friday after attacking and knocking the front teeth out of a five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champ two years ago.
Ralph Gracie, 49, was also ordered to participate in an anger management program and was placed on three years of formal probation.
He accepted a plea deal from Orange County Superior Court Judge Andre Manssourian. The defendant pleaded guilty to a felony count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury with a sentencing enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury.
Print
For three young men, Friday marked the beginning of a new chapter of their lives this one, unmarked by the felonies they were charged with.
The Orange County Young Adult Court, a collaborative court for first-time nonviolent felony offenders between the ages of 18 and 23, graduated three of its initial 25 participants late Friday afternoon with tearful goodbyes before Orange County Superior Court Judge Maria Hernandez reduced or dismissed their convictions.
Hernandez said that she wished that everyone who had a hand in the cases could be present in-person, but that current restrictions forbid it as COVID-19 cases continue to grow in Orange County.