Update: Friday, December 22, 2017…
Today the judge affirmed yesterday’s tentative ruling reported below. The ruling is now official.
Councilman Ben Kalasho
San Diego Superior Judge Timothy Taylor yesterday tentatively ruled against Councilman Ben Kalasho, rejecting the lawsuit the El Cajon official filed in response to a beauty pageant winner and others suing him for harassment and defamation.
In an emailed statement, plaintiffs’ attorney Jimmie Parker had this to say:
As you know, I represent various victims of Councilman Kalasho’s online misconduct, sexual harassment, and defamation who have filed suit against the Councilman in San Diego Superior. The Councilman, in retaliation for the suit, continued his pattern and practice of harassment against my clients and filed an unmeritorious countersuit against them. In response to his countersuit, my clients filed an anti-SLAPP motion providing the Court with overwhelming evidence from Cox Communications, ATT, Facebook and Instagram that the posts defaming and harassing my clients using pseudonyms (including the publication of falsified nudes of Ms. Zhala Tawfiq) originated from the Councilman and/or his cohort’s residences.
Today, Judge Timothy Taylor of San Diego Superior issued a nine-page tentative ruling tossing out the retaliatory complaint filed by the Councilman against my clients and awarding fees and costs incurred by them in defeating the action. There will be a hearing tomorrow at 1:30 in Judge Taylor’s courtroom on the matter, I will be available afterward for any interviews should any be desired.
Needless to say, we are pleased that the Judge has seen Councilman Kalasho’s countersuit for what it was, a frivolous and retaliatory action that has been now been put to bed. We will continue to litigate this matter in Court in order to bring justice to the victims of the Councilman’s outrageous and disturbing conduct.
Regards,
Jimmie Parker
SD Rostra has reached out to Kalasho for a statement.