Jerry F. Ims v. Town of Portsmouth

Summary

The Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed the trial judge’s judgment as a matter of law dismissing the plaintiff’s malicious prosecution and tortious interference claims, but vacated the dismissal of the defendants’ defamation counterclaim and remanded for further proceedings. It held that no criminal proceeding or special injury existed for malicious prosecution, no contract existed for interference, and the notice letter is not absolutely privileged but may be protected by qualified privilege.