Kyle Prudhomme

Attorney for four people, including District Attorney Rich Goldinger, named as defendants in a defamation and election interference lawsuit filed by attorney Jennifer Vanasdale stemming from her unsuccessful campaign for the District Attorney’s office last year argued for dismissal of the suit Friday, Nov. 15.

Defense attorneys Rebecca Black, who is representing Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo; Ashley Giannetti, who is representing Goldinger; Nicole Thurner, who is representing Justin Castilyn, of Saxonburg; and Jennifer Pullar, who is representing Cheryl Geunther, of Prospect, are trying to convince Senior Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher St. John, of Mercer County, to dismiss the case.

The defense attorneys argued Friday in a Butler County courtroom that Vanasdale has filed three versions of her complaint, but none follow a previously issued court order for her to provide specific allegations and explain damages for each count of the complaint.

All three complaints cite the entirety of the complaint as the allegation for each count and use boiler plate language about defamation in an effort to prevent the court from addressing the allegations and bring the case to a trial, the attorneys said.

The attorneys joined in Black’s argument that the complaints are so vague that it is difficult to determine what is being alleged, and violates civil court procedures requiring plaintiffs to state the cause of action and damages in each court.

They also argued that Vanasdale is a public figure because she ran for public office more than once, and the defendants have immunity because the allegations against them took place during a political campaign and should be considered speech on a matter of public interest.

Vanasdale’s attorney Nicholas DiNardo argued that Goldinger’s campaign letter would cause the average citizen to believe she is a bad attorney or that she is not permitted to practice law in the county.

The letter, which the other defendants are accused of sharing or posting online, says that Vanasdale is “unable to practice in front of any of the sitting judges in Butler County” and that taxpayers would have to foot the bill for visiting judges to come to hear criminal cases if she were elected.

DiNardo said Vanasdale is not a public figure so she doesn’t have to prove the defendants acted with malice in defaming her.

He also said the second amended complaint specifies the allegations and the damages.

St. John did not immediately rule on any of the arguments.