Judge Nadine Allen recently dismissed a defamation suit filed against attorney Robert Newman filed by Arnold Barnett, chair of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority. Barnett has since stepped down as chair.

Allen ruled Barnett was a “public official” because of his chairmanship of the CMHA. The law states that public officials cannot recover for defamation of reputation/ character, even if the statements made are false, slanted or offensive, unless the plaintiff can prove actual malice.

Barnett filed his defamation suit after Newman had filed complaints against Barnett as CMHA chair and against the CMHA with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and in court. Newman filed the complaints on behalf of African Americans who are eligible for CMHA rental vouchers, claiming that Barnett and the CMHA were engaging in racially discriminatory housing and rental practices.