Ryan Koster
v.
Harvest Bible Chapel–Quad Cities d/b/a Harvest Bible Chapel–Davenport and Garth Glenn,
Ryan Koster brought suit against his former church, Harvest Bible Chapel, and his pastor, Garth Glenn, claiming the pastor breached his fiduciary duties and committed defamation by sending emails divulging personal details of Koster’s marriage that were obtained in confidence to his fellow pastors, members of his former discipleship small group and church staff. The district court granted summary judgment on the invasion of privacy and defamation claims on First Amendment qualified privilege grounds and later dismissed the breach of fiduciary claim on First Amendment qualified privilege grounds as well. Koster appeals arguing: (1) he produced sufficient evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact as to every element of his breach of fiduciary duty claim against the appellees; (2) the district court erred in granting summary judgment on his breach of fiduciary duty claim on the basis of a First Amendment qualified privilege; and (3) the district court erred in granting summary judgment on Koster’s defamation claim on the basis of qualified privilege.
Appellant
Ryan Koster
Appellee
Harvest Bible Chapel–Quad Cities d/b/a Harvest Bible Chapel–Davenport and Garth Glenn,
Attorney for the Appellant
Gary Dickey
Attorney for the Appellee
Amanda M. Richards
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Mar 24, 2021 1:30 PM
