Lacey v. Ohio Aud. of State

Citations

• 2019 Ohio 4266

Syllabus

The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of the Ohio Auditor of State based on the doctrine of absolute privilege. The auditor was not subject to liability because the alleged tortious conduct was part of a judicial proceeding for the purpose of applying the absolute privilege doctrine. Additionally, even if not protected by the absolute privilege doctrine, the auditor was entitled to judgment as a matter of law as to the malicious prosecution claim because appellant failed to present evidence reasonably establishing that the auditor acted with malice or lacked probable cause in making the statements to the county prosecutor alleging appellant's illegal conduct. Judgment affirmed.