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July 18, 2025 – USA –
Michael Tanner, the former Chief Operating Officer of the Park City School District, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against freelance journalist Michelle Deininger. Filed on July 17, in Summit County’s Third District Court, the suit accuses Deininger of publishing false and damaging statements in her reporting for The Park Record and other media outlets.
Tanner served as COO from 2019 until March 31, 2025, overseeing the district’s construction projects and security measures. His role was eliminated as part of a reduction in workforce, a move that his lawsuit contests, alleging he was instead wrongfully terminated following Deininger’s critical coverage.
The central focus of the lawsuit is a November 2024 article authored by Deininger, which detailed Tanner’s compensation package, alleged repeated “special assignment” contracts, his remote work arrangement, and his time spent working out of state, including Illinois. Tanner’s legal claims argue these assertions were inaccurate and harmful. He points out discrepancies concerning his residency status, liability in a bus driver incident, school project delays, and favouritism allegations related to his hiring.
Tanner asserts that Deininger published 27 critical pieces aimed at portraying him and district officials in an unfavourable light before and after the November story, stating these false representations caused public embarrassment and professional setbacks. He is seeking a jury trial and monetary relief exceeding $300,000, including lost wages, damages to reputation, and emotional distress. His filing also requests the removal of the November article and any defamatory content from public access.
Although The Park Record published the original article, the lawsuit does not name the publication as a defendant. The paper has declined to comment. The Park City School District and Utah Attorney General’s Office reviewed the matter following the article’s release but did not find evidence of policy or criminal violations.
Deininger, awarded the Utah Society of Professional Journalists’ Don Baker Investigative Journalism prize for the article, is reviewing the lawsuit. Tanner claims he has struggled to find new employment since his departure and that his military community reputation has suffered due to misleading portrayals.
The case underscores the tensions between journalistic investigation and individual reputation, as it proceeds toward trial with resolution pending.
References –
Former Park City School District COO sues freelance journalist for defamation over article
