NEWPORT BEACH : Slander Suit Involving Dealer May Go to Trial
An Orange County Superior Court judge ruled Friday that two of four claims in a lawsuit by a Newport Beach couple against Fletcher Jones Motorcars Inc. may proceed to trial.
Judge Marvin G. Weeks said he will rule Monday or Tuesday on the two other claims against the Mercedes-Benz dealership after he has had time to study the case further.
In the lawsuit, filed in August, Robert and Risa Groux say that, while they were shopping for a car at the dealership, a salesman made anti-Semitic remarks, and the disparaging comments did not end when they informed him that Risa Groux is Jewish.
Weeks ruled charges of slander and intentional infliction of emotional distress may go to trial. His ruling next week will be on two claims of civil rights violations.
“Everything that has happened so far is tentative,” Kevin McNaughton, attorney for the auto dealership, said Friday. “I am confident that, if the case does proceed, our client will successfully be able to challenge the claims.”
McNaughton said he will not file a response in court until the judge rules on all four complaints in the Grouxes’ suit.
In a written statement released last month, officials of the dealership said they intend to “vigorously dispute the allegations” in the lawsuit and noted the dealership has a strict policy against discriminatory conduct.
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