TENTATIVE RULING

Calendar: 6

Date: 4/26/19

Case No: BC 617479

Case Name: Torosian, et al. v. Fitilichyan, et al.

MOTION TO STRIKE

(SLAPP SUIT)

(CCP §425.16)

Moving Party: Defendant Armen Tashjian

Responding Party: Plaintiffs Akop Torosian, Robert Torosian, Marina Fermanyan

and Elda Madatyan

RULING:

Armen Tashjian’s Anti-SLAPP Special Motion to Strike Plaintiffs’ Complaint is denied.

The court finds that plaintiffs have sufficiently established pursuant to Flately v. Mauro (2006) 39 Cal.4th 299, that the claims against the moving defendant are not based on protected communications, but on conduct constituting criminal extortion, the illegality of which is conclusively shown by the evidence. Specifically, the evidence submitted shows that the attorney threatened plaintiff Robert Torosian that if a sum of money was not paid, defendants would accuse plaintiff’s brother of criminal activity, would present manufactured witnesses, and that defendant has been investigated and arre