NEW YORK (AP) – A Manhattan judge on Friday filed a defamation suit filed by U.S. Representative Devin Nunes against CNN.
The lawsuit to ask for more than $ 435 million was rejected by U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who said the California Republican did not request a timely withdrawal or properly state his claims.
Nunes had alleged that the cable news company intentionally published a fake news article on November 22, 2019 and participated in a conspiracy to defame him and damage his personal and professional reputation.
The lawsuit said CNN released a report containing false claims that Nunes was involved in efforts to get “dirt” on then-Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
Nunes ‘lawyers said in court papers that CNN knew Lev Parnas’ statements and included in his report were false.
Parnas, an associate of former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, has pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to charges alleging he made illegal contributions to politicians he believed could help his political interests and business. His trial is scheduled for October.
Parnas and another co-defendant worked with Giuliani to try to get Ukrainian officials to investigate Biden’s son, prosecutors said. Giuliani has said he knew nothing of men’s political contributions. He has not been charged.
The Nunes lawsuit said Parnas was telling lies to try to gain immunity.
“It was obvious to everyone, including the embarrassing CNN, that Parnas was a scammer and a deceiver. It was obvious that his lies were part of a vicious attempt to obstruct justice, “the lawsuit said.
In court papers, CNN lawyers said Nunes and his staff had refused to comment before the post on whether Nunes had met with a Ukrainian prosecutor.
“Instead of denying the report before it was released, Representative Nunes waited until it appeared and then filed this lawsuit claiming more than $ 435 million in damages, labeling CNN as” the mother of fake news. ” CNN’s lawyers wrote, “In her haste to sue, however, Representative Nunes overlooked the need to request a withdrawal.”
Lawyers noted that California law, which Swain said was appropriate for the case, requires a written retraction to be requested within 20 days of a story being published.
Messages were sent asking Nunes and CNN for comment.