Robinson v. V. D. (2024)

Citation: Robinson v. V. D. (2024)
Parent Document: Robinson v. V. D. (2024)
Jurisdiction: Connecticut (state)
Effective Date: 2024-11-26
Original Source: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10282961/robinson-v-v-d/ ↗

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a superficially well founded claim that some of his state-
         ments, particularly those relating to the grievance pro-
         cess, qualify as communications relating to an issue
         under consideration by a governmental body, namely,
         the Coast Guard. . . . In addition, the defendant has
         asserted a colorable claim that his statements during the
         grievance process relate to a matter of public concern.
         Although these statements evolved from a personal dis-
         pute between the parties, the statements could conceiv-
         ably be of concern to the general public because the
         allegations related to hiring practices within a govern-
         mental entity. In particular, the defendant’s speech
         touches on the possible existence of anti-union senti-
         ment within the academy and quid pro quo arrange-
         ments between management officials as it relates to
         hiring. Therefore, the defendant has at least a superfi-
         cially well founded claim that his conduct concerns not
         only him, but others at the academy and the general
         community at large.’’ (Citations omitted; internal quota-
         tion marks omitted.) Id., 1009–10.
           Having determined that the appeal was taken from
         an appealable final judgment, our Supreme Court trans-
         ferred the appeal back to this court pursuant to Practice
         Book § 65-1 ‘‘for further proceedings according to law.’’6
         Id., 1011. Additional facts will be set forth as necessary.
                                             I
           The defendant claims that the underlying action is
         barred by absolute immunity under the litigation privi-
         lege because all the relevant conduct alleged in the
         underlying complaint occurred during the course of
         judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings. Although the
         defendant raised the issue of absolute immunity in his
           6
            In accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision and remand order, the
         Office of the Appellate Clerk issued a letter to the parties informing them
         that the appeal had been assigned a new docket number and setting a
         schedule for filing briefs on the merits of the appeal.
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