Quintero v. Diaz
A former City of Sweetwater parks director sued the former Mayor for defamation per se based on statements in a termination letter written in the Mayor's official capacity. The Third DCA affirmed summary judgment for the Mayor, holding that section 768.28(9)(a), Florida Statutes, does not abrogate the common law absolute immunity protecting public officials for statements made within the scope of their duties, even if false, malicious, or badly motivated.
Key facts
- Former City of Sweetwater parks director sued the former Mayor for defamation per se based on statements made in a termination letter written in the Mayor's official capacity.
- The trial court granted summary judgment for the Mayor, and the Third DCA affirmed the judgment.
- +2 more key facts with a free trial
Why it matters
This aligns the Third DCA with the Fourth DCA (Weeks and Blake) in holding that the statutory bad-faith/malice exception in section 768.28(9)(a) does not strip public officials of common law absolute immunity for… — full analysis with a trial
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