A defamation lawsuit filed against Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Angels by Brian Harkins, the longtime clubhouse attendant who was fired for supplying illegal ball-doctoring substances to pitchers, has been struck down in Orange County Superior Court.
Judge Geoffrey T. Glass granted the defendants' motion to dismiss Harkins' complaint, stating there was not enough evidence to prove Harkins had been defamed in the wake of his firing.
A hearing was held on Jan. 21 to determine whether the case would move forward, and the judge's ruling was released Monday. Dan Rasmussen, an attorney for Harkins, said he plans to appeal.