Werstein v. Postal Telegraph-Cable Co.

131 Misc. 763, 227 N.Y.S. 729, 1928 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 775

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: March 26, 1928
• Status: Published

Opinion

Frankenthaler, J.

The writing complained of cannot possibly be construed as charging plaintiff with having obtained the money referred to wrongfully or dishonestly. Defendant’s letter merely states that according to its investigation the plaintiff received the funds which it telegraphed from New York. It does not state or even intimate that there was anything improper about this, and, indeed, the other allegations of the complaint establish that the money was intended for the plaintiff’s use. It may be that prior to the sending of the letter plaintiff had informed his employer that he had not received the money, but this circumstance could not transform a perfectly innocent writing into a libel. Nor can the innuendo enlarge the meaning of the language complained of. (Siegel v. Sun Printing & Publishing Assn., 130 Misc. 18; Editorial, N. Y. L. J. Sept. 23, 1927.) Even if it be assumed that the defendant’s communication can be regarded as libelous by reason of the extrinsic circumstances alleged, the complaint is insufficient in that there is no allegation of special damage. It is well settled that where a publication is defamatory only by reason of extrinsic circumstances special damages must be pleaded. (O’Connell v. Press Publishing Co., 214 N. Y. 352.) The motion to dismiss the complaint is, therefore, granted. Order signed.