California Court Upheld Dismissal of Journalism Lawsuit
The 1st District Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal of a case involving journalist Jack Poulson and Substack.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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A California appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by Maury Blackman against journalist Jack Poulson, Substack, and Tech Inquiry. The court also affirmed an award of attorney fees to the defendants under the state's anti-SLAPP law.
Why it matters
The ruling underscores the protections granted to journalists reporting on matters of public significance involving individuals with government contracts. It also reinforces the application of Section 230 protections for online platforms.
The court dismissed the 15-count lawsuit and granted attorney fees to the defendants under California's anti-SLAPP statute. The ruling affirmed that the reporting on a business leader with government contracts was a matter of public interest.
The players
Jack Poulson
He is a journalist and the central figure in the litigation regarding the publication of records.
Substack
It is an online subscription platform that was named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Maury Blackman
He is a business leader who filed the lawsuit after his previously sealed arrest records were reported.
1st District Court of Appeal
This is the California judicial body that issued the final ruling on the case.
San Francisco Police Department
This agency is the law enforcement body that released the sealed arrest records through a public portal.
The details
The legal battle stemmed from a 2021 arrest of Maury Blackman, whose records were subsequently sealed by a court order in early 2022. Despite the seal, San Francisco police released the report through a public portal, allowing the journalist to lawfully obtain and report the information.
Timeline
Maury Blackman was arrested for alleged domestic violence in December 2021.
A court sealed the arrest records of Maury Blackman in February 2022.
The 1st District Court of Appeal issued its ruling on September 29, 2026.
Legal Context
This decision reinforces the established application of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in modern digital media litigation. It aligns with existing precedents that protect publishers from liability when reporting on matters of public significance.
The ruling provides clarity on the legal standards for public records access and journalism within California. Residents and business leaders should note that the court has upheld the right to report on matters of public interest even when records are partially sealed.
The takeaway
The court maintained that journalists can publish truthful information obtained through government portals, provided it concerns public matters. This case highlights the importance of institutional diligence in managing sensitive or sealed records.
Further reading
Learn more about local legal developments at California Criminal Justice.
More information
Access official case documentation via the California court system records portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Elk Grove News.
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