Priore v. Haig

Summary

The court held that a public hearing on a special permit application before a town planning and zoning commission was not quasi-judicial, so statements made during the hearing were not entitled to absolute immunity from a defamation action. Although the commission could apply zoning law to facts, issue binding decisions, and affect property rights, the hearing lacked meaningful safeguards ensuring the reliability of public statements and the public-policy justification for absolute immunity was insufficient. The court reversed the Appellate Court and remanded for further proceedings.