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PROVO (AP) — A judge has ruled that a Utah County Republican Party leader was protected by state law when he made defamatory comments about another member of the party.
The ruling means Vice Chairman Daryl Acumen won't have to pay $1 in damages to party member Julie Blaney.
Judge Christine Johnson with the 4th Judicial District recently overturned a finding by Orem's Justice Court that had ruled in favor of Blaney in March.
Blaney had claimed in a lawsuit that Acumen wrongly accused her of misusing party money. She says she sought only $1 because she wanted to clear her name.
Daily Herald of Provo cited the ruling in reporting that Acumen's comments were protected because he made them to individuals in leadership positions within the party.
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Information from: The Daily Herald, http://www.heraldextra.com
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