Gretchen Rossi Hit With Almost $41,000 in Fees for SLAPPed Defamation Suit Against Ex-Boy Friend.
We frequently have blogged on the SLAPP fee-shifting statute, which requires a mandatory imposition of reasonable attorney’s fees to a defendant winner. Well, even celebrities are not beyond its reach.
“Real Housewives of O.C.” star Gretchen Rossi had her defamation suit against ex-boy friend Jay Photoglou SLAPPed by Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregory Munoz in January of this year. In doing so, Judge Munoz decided that Ms. Rossi had to pay attorney’s fees and costs totaling $40,799.38, which reflected a $2,410 fee reduction for work not directly connected with the SLAPP motion and a $ 545.32 reduction for disallowed costs. Ms. Rossi also unsuccessfully attempted to disqualify Judge Munoz in the case.
Although the award may help Mr. Photoglou somewhat, he claims to have spent about $85,000 in defending the case.