Judge tosses lawsuit from former Carmel Christkindlmarkt board member

By GREGG MONTGOMERY
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — A Hamilton County judge on Friday dismissed a defamation lawsuit from a former Carmel Christkindlmarkt board member against the Republican mayor of Carmel.

Judge Jonathan M. Brown of Hamilton Superior Court 2 granted Mayor Sue Finkam’s motion to dismiss the case. Brown agreed with Finkam that the statements she made against Susan S. McDermott did not constitute defamation but were matters of opinion, not accusing McDermott of professional misconduct.

McDermott had alleged that Finkam made false statements about her withholding financial information related to the board of Christkindlmarkt Inc.

McDermott claimed that Finkam’s statements were made with malice, asserting that Finkam and the city government knew the statements were false.

The dispute began in early 2024 when Finkam appointed McDermott to the Christkindlmarkt board. Disagreements over a new operating agreement between the city government and the Christkindlmarkt board led to tensions, resulting in McDermott’s resignation from the board.

Finkam publicly discussed the issue at Carmel City Council meetings in October 2024, alleging that McDermott had not provided comprehensive financial information. McDermott’s complaint included claims that Finkam’s statements were false and damaging to her professional reputation.

This year’s Carmel Christkindlmarkt will be Nov. 22-Dec. 2.

This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/entertainment-news/judge-tosses-lawsuit-from-former-carmel-christkindlmarkt-board-member.