DEFAMATION & MALICIOUS PROSECUTION: Complaints to police held privileged

The Connecticut Superior Court holds that complaints to the police were privileged and therefore could not provide a basis for a defamation or malicious prosecution claim.

In a court trial, the court holds that a malicious prosecution action cannot lie with the sole conduct alleged as the defendant’s communication of potentially incriminating information to a public officer.  The defendant did not insist that the plaintiff be prosecuted or bring pressure for a prosecution.  Statements to the police were also considered to be privileged with regard to a defamation claim as statements of a complaining witness.

Silano v. Cooney, CV14-6045374 (2/22/17 Hartmere, JTR)