defamation

Plaintiffs sued two individuals, as well as three companies which owned and operated a restaurant, for defamation. They alleged that, following a verbal altercation at the restaurant in which death threats were made against the two individual defendant parents and their young children, defendants asked restaurant employees for the identity of the individual who made the threats, and the employees incorrectly identified one of the plaintiffs as the perpetrator. The individual defendants then made several statements on social media accusing plaintiffs of making or being involved in the making of the death threats against them and their children. Defendants denied the allegations. Settled at Mandatory Settlement Conference.