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Aug. 4, 2026

Court revives key Leah Remini defamation claims against Scientology

The 2nd District Court of Appeal revived several of Leah Remini's defamation claims against the Church of Scientology, ruling she presented sufficient evidence to pursue allegations that the church falsely accused her of lying and mistreating family members while striking other claims as protected opinion or rhetorical hyperbole.

Court revives key Leah Remini defamation claims against Scientology
Daniel Saunders, partner at Kasowitz LLP

A California appellate court revived portions of actress Leah Remini's defamation lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, drawing a sharp distinction between actionable factual assertions and protected opinion in a split anti-SLAPP ruling that allows several claims to proceed while dismissing others.

In an unpublished opinion filed July 31, the 2nd District Court of Appeal affirmed in part and reversed in part a Los Angeles County Superior Court order on a special motion to...

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