By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//February 3, 2011//
Torts
Defamation; limited purpose public figures
Thomas Krans appeals a summary judgment order dismissing his defamation claims against Robert Wicklund and Dennis Newingham. Krans contends that there are genuine issues of material fact as to whether a pamphlet authored and distributed by Wicklund and Newingham at an Aurora town board meeting contained statements defamatory to Krans, precluding summary judgment. We are persuaded, however, by Wicklund and Newingham’s arguments that, even assuming the pamphlet is defamatory to Krans, summary judgment was properly granted because: (1) Krans is a limited purpose public figure and there are no facts showing that Wicklund acted with actual malice, and (2) the statute of limitations against Newingham has run. We affirm.
This opinion will not be published.
2010AP489 Krans v. Wicklund, et al.
Dist III, Florence County, Stenz, J., Per Curiam
Attorneys: For Appellant: Petrucelli, Vincent R., Iron River, MI; Waara, Jonny L., Iron River, MI; For Respondent: Zalewski, Richard W., Wausau; Roman, Michael J., Wausau