Stout v. Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.

Citations

• 2021 Ohio 609

Syllabus

The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of appellees on appellant's claims for abuse of process, defamation, and civil conspiracy. Appellant argued that appellees' prior lawsuit against him related to non-payment for gas services was meritless and without probable cause. However, the trial court correctly found that an abuse of process claim did not lie. Furthermore, the doctrine of absolute privilege barred appellant's defamation claim. Appellant's civil conspiracy claim was based upon his allegations of abuse of process and defamation, and since he failed to establish the existence of any genuine issue of material fact on those claims, his claim for civil conspiracy was also subject to summary judgment. Judgment affirmed.