“Viewing the allegations in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, the plain language of the challenged statement—that Grover is ‘under a serious state investigation’—is verifiable, even if confirming the existence of an investigation may require significant legwork. Either an investigation by the state exists, or it does not,” U.S. District Chief Judge Michael F. Urbanski for the Western District of Virginia said. “The context of the message is important, as it both (1) supports Grover’s contention that a reasonable recipient would understand the challenged statement as stating a fact, and (2) reinforces the implication that Grover has engaged in illegal conduct related to charitable gaming.”

       

Cindy Speaker

CEO of Speaker Media and Marketing, is the "Secret Weapon of Personal Injury Lawyers and Trial Attorneys" throughout the United States. Specializing as a marketing consultant to lawyers, with a primary focus on content marketing, social media, online video and mobile marketing strategies.