‘Dr. Laura’ Suit Dismissed

A Superior Court judge Wednesday dismissed radio talk show host Laura Schlessinger’s slander lawsuit against a South Coast Plaza surf shop owner.

Judge John Watson agreed with Beach Access owner Tom Moore that Schlessinger’s case violated state law that prohibits suits meant to stifle free speech, known as SLAPP suits for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.

“We’re quite thrilled with the results,” said Tawnya Wojciechowski, one of Moore’s attorneys.

Said Allan Mayer, a spokesman for the syndicated talk show host: “All we can really say on her behalf is that Dr. Laura is understandably disappointed by the decision.”

He said Schlessinger has not decided whether to appeal.

Under the anti-SLAPP statute, Schlessinger could be forced to pay some of Moore’s legal bills.

“We have not received authorization from our client to do this, but to be honest I believe it would be important if we would,” Wojciechowski said.

The case arose from an incident in July when the tough-love moralist walked into the Beach Access store in Costa Mesa with her son. She browsed through a copy of Big Brother Skateboarding magazine and the next day told her nationwide audience that Beach Access had put out pornography for kids to see.

Schlessinger then accused Moore of calling her a liar when reporters asked him to respond to her charges. Schlessinger sued for slander.

After Schlessinger made her comments, angry parents showed up at the store, and Moore lost business, his attorneys said.

In October, Moore and store manager Ryan Schieber filed their own $4-million suit for slander against Schlessinger. That case is pending.

Wojciechowski said the judge made his decision about 11:30 a.m., a half-hour before Schlessinger went on the air on KFI-AM.