Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo is seeking a ruling on his objections to a 2023 civil defamation complaint filed against him, District Attorney Rich Goldinger and two others by attorney Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale.

Gilliland Vanasdale, a former candidate for district attorney, argues in the complaint that Longo, Goldinger, Justin Castilyn and Cheryl Guenther played a role in disseminating false and defamatory information about her in an orchestrated effort to help Goldinger win reelection.

Through his attorney, Rebecca Black, Longo filed a petition Aug. 18 asking a Butler County Common Pleas Court judge to rule on the preliminary objections he filed in September 2024 to the second amended complaint Gilliland Vanasdale filed in May that year.

The objections seek dismissal of the complaint, arguing it lacks specificity, fails to establish elements necessary to move forward with any of the claims in the complaint and does not comply with Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.

In the petition asking Senior Judge Christopher St. John to rule on the objections, Longo argues that he is concerned about the potential effects of a delayed decision on the objections. Two hearings were held on the objections nine months ago in November 2024, according to the petition.

“A judicial determination in this matter would benefit all parties, enabling the matter to move forward to final resolution with all due haste, especially as we move toward another election cycle with pending claims addressing the legality and/or immunity of political statements and posts,” Black said in the petition.

According to the petition, Gilliland Vanasdale listed her home for sale and it would be difficult to obtain depositions from her if she moves out of state.

“For defendant Longo to claim that the listing of our Cranberry Township property in any way could impact him as a defendant in my lawsuit against him is another example of his bizarre and bad faith conduct,” Gilliland Vanasdale said. “My elderly parents maintain a home on our Cranberry Township property and due to recent health care needs, are unable to travel and live there at this time.

“Notwithstanding, my husband and I proudly maintain our recently renovated Butler downtown building along with our Cranberry Township building that we built from the ground up 20 years ago,” she continued. “We are grateful to our valued clients and the community that we serve and will continue to stand up against bullies like defendant Longo and seek for justice for all.”

Longo’s notice of assertion of immunity filed in November 2024 includes an argument that Act 72 of 2024, known as the Anti-SLAPP Act, imposes a mandatory award of attorney fees, court costs and litigation expenses in the defense of claims such as those being made by Gilliland Vanasdale, according to the petition.

The Anti-SLAPP, Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, Act is designed to protect free speech and public participation by allowing early dismissal of frivolous suits and provides immunity from civil liability for claims based on protected public expression.

Longo has notified Gilliland Vanasdale that he intends to file a damages claim against her at the conclusion of her case, and the sale of her assets while her case is pending could be detrimental to his anticipated claims for legal costs and sanctions, according to the petition.

Gilliland Vanasdale responded in an email Thursday saying, “As usual, defendant Longo does not have his facts straight and lies. All his petition does is demonstrate his desperation and childish bullying conduct.”

Longo referred the Butler Eagle to Black for comment. A telephone call to Black was not returned Friday.