Judge dismisses state lawmaker’s defamation suit
OMAHA, Neb. — A judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a Nebraska lawmaker against a conservative political action committee that labeled her a child “groomer” and sexual abuser in online posts, citing the constitutional right to free speech. State Sen. Megan Hunt sued the Nebraska Freedom Coalition and three of its officers after they […]
Judge orders Giuliani to pay fees in defamation case
WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Wednesday held Rudy Giuliani liable in a defamation lawsuit brought by two Georgia election workers who say they were falsely accused of fraud, entering a default judgment against the former New York City mayor and ordering him to pay tens of thousands of dollars in lawyers’ fees. U.S. District […]
Judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against CNN
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit Donald Trump filed against CNN in which the former U.S. president claimed that references in news articles or by the network’s hosts to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election as “the Big Lie” were tantamount to comparing him to Adolf Hitler. Trump had been seeking punitive damages […]
Bundy ordered to pay $50M-plus in defamation case
A far-right activist who led the takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon, an associate and three of their groups must pay over $50 million in damages after a hospital in Idaho won a defamation lawsuit against them. The lawsuit by St. Luke’s Regional Health accused Ammon Bundy and Diego Rodriguez of making defamatory […]
Defamation suit against competitor over false claims, $2.5M settlement
Action: Defamation Injuries alleged: Damage to reputation and character; loss of value and business in the industry Case name: Withheld Court/case no.: Withheld Jury and/or judge: Withheld Amount: $2.5 million Date: May 17, 2023 Attorneys: Barrett R. Brewer of Brewer Law Firm, Mount Pleasant, and Edward L. Phipps of Phipps Firm, Charleston (for the plaintiffs) […]
Bluffton mayor awarded $50M in defamation claim
Beaufort County jury has awarded $50 million to the mayor of Bluffton after finding that she had been defamed for years by an outspoken critic of local government officials. On Feb. 3, the jury ordered Calvin “Skip” Hoagland to pay $40 million in actual damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Mayor Lisa Sulka alleged […]
Jury awards $50 million to SC mayor in defamation lawsuit
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — A jury in South Carolina awarded $50 million in damages to a mayor in a defamation case against a longtime critic. The Beaufort County jury decided Thursday that Skip Hoagland has to pay Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka $40 million in actual damages and $10 million in punitive damages, The […]
Judge awards $32.4M in RICO, defamation case
A man who alleges that he was extorted and defamed by a Slovak businessman has been awarded $32.4 million default judgment by a federal judge who found the businessman liable on two counts of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act and one count of defamation. The plaintiff, Zdenek Bakala, is a dual citizen […]
High-profile high school football coach was public figure
A jury verdict in favor of a former high school football coach and athletic director who sued his former employer for defamation has been reversed by the South Carolina Court of Appeals, which unanimously ruled that the coach was a public official. As such, the coach had the burden of proving that the district […]
Man sues police for defamation after charges dropped
By JEFFREY COLLINS Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina man whose charges were dropped after police body camera footage showed he did not fight an officer who attacked him is suing the city of Rock Hill and U.S Rep. Ralph Norman for defamation. Travis Price worked second shift at a chemical plant […]
Attorney, couple to share $2M settlement from defamation suit
A Charleston County couple and a Charleston divorce attorney will share a $2 million settlement after resolving a defamation claim against a man who allegedly placed defamatory signs about them around the city during contentious divorce proceedings with his wife, their attorneys report. Barrett Brewer of Mt. Pleasant, Chris Staubes of Mt. Pleasant, and […]
Father’s $1 verdicts for false sex abuse allegations upheld
A South Carolina federal judge has denied a request to set aside a verdict in which a jury concluded that two daughters had falsely accused their father of sexually abusing them and awarded the father nominal $1 verdicts against his daughters. David Kozel was acquitted of all criminal charges stemming from his daughters’ allegations […]
Business Law
- Economy forces attorneys to get down to business
- Business Court judges trawl for customers
- Va. company's Web site did not subject business to personal jurisdiction in S.C., appeals panel rules
- Former running back from S.C. wins courtroom victory in contract dispute
- Contract – Government Contract – Qui Tam – False Claims Act
- Licenses & Permits – Beer & Wine Permit – Restrictive Covenant – Suitable Location
- Consumer Protection – FCRA – Auto Loan – Bank Accounting Errors
- Licenses & Permits – Veterinarian – Vaccine Maintenance
- Tort – Business Tort – Va. Computer Crimes Act – Trade Secrets
- Textile firm, railroad settle Graniteville train wreck lawsuit
- State regulators look at car dealer accused of lying to customers
- Subprime mortgage meltdown hits securities law
Commentary
- Virginia Tech student got due process in hearing
- High court justices cross the line of propriety
- High court’s term was rough on big business
- The flip side of generative AI in law and how to address it
- The fight for equal educational opportunity continues
- Letter From The Editor – Working from Home
- NLRB joins FTC in taking aim at non-competes
- Supreme Court leaves key internet protection untouched
- US Supreme Court bites back at parody’s use of the First Amendment
- My goal: Provide the information that you need now
- Case study: North Carolina courts provide guidance on scope, limitations of attorney-client privilege
- A Different Ode to Pro Bono Work