1A Docket First Amendment · Utah
Utah Third District Court · Judge Kara Pettit

Maragani v. Equality Utah, Equality Utah Foundation, and Troy Williams

Granted UPEPA
Forum
Utah Third District Court
Case number
Judge Kara Pettit
Motion decided
Apr 24, 2025
Outcome
Granted
Conduct at issue
An advocacy organization's public statements about a critic's social media posts, and its director's communication to the critic's employer
Underlying claims
Defamation, false light, tortious interference, intentional infliction of emotional distress

Docket · filings

Oct 11, 2024 DefendantsMotion for expedited relief PDF
Nov 8, 2024 PlaintiffOpposition to the special motion for expedited relief PDF
Dec 9, 2024 DefendantsReply in support of the special motion PDF
Dec 19, 2024 PlaintiffMotion to extend deadline for supplemental UPEPA brief PDF
Dec 20, 2024 CourtOrder granting motion to extend deadline PDF
Jan 10, 2025 PlaintiffSupplemental brief to opposition PDF
Jan 21, 2025 DefendantsSupplemental reply in support of the special motion PDF
Apr 24, 2025 CourtRuling and order PDF
May 7, 2025 DefendantsMotion for attorney fees, costs, and expenses PDF
May 7, 2025 DefendantsReply in support of the fee motion PDF
May 21, 2025 PlaintiffOpposition to the fee motion PDF
Aug 3, 2025 CourtRuling, findings and order awarding costs, fees, and expenses PDF

What the court held

  • The court found the communications related to the parties' differing public positions and were on a matter of public concern.
  • The statements at issue were found not defamatory.
  • Reported as a dismissal without prejudice, which sits oddly against Section 107(1)'s requirement that a granted motion produce dismissal with prejudice. Verify against the order.
  • A fee ruling issued August 3, 2025.
Disclosure. A party in this matter works with the author. See About.