Godbehere v. Phoenix Newspapers, Inc.
Arizona Supreme Court
783 P.2d 781 (1989)
Relevant factsFree
Phoenix Newspapers (defendant) published over 50 articles, editorials, and columns during 1985 alleging that Maricopa County Sheriff Richard Godbehere (plaintiff) and his deputies engaged in illegal activities, illegal arrests, misuse of funds, police brutality, and general incompetence; Godbehere and others sued for libel and false light invasion of privacy, and the trial court dismissed the invasion-of-privacy claims for failure to state a claim, a ruling the court of appeals affirmed before further appeal.
IssueFree
Whether a public official may maintain a false light invasion of privacy claim based on publications concerning the performance of the official's public duties.