The cause of action alleging defamation failed because the challenged statements were absolutely privileged as a matter of law and cannot be the basis for a defamation action (see Ifantides v Wisniewski, 181 AD3d at 576; Weinstock v Sanders, 144 AD3d at 1021; Brady v Gaudelli, 137 AD3d at 952; El Jamal v Weil, 116 AD3d 732, 734 [2014]; Rabiea v Stein, 69 AD3d at 701). [read post]