A Manhattan judge on Friday launched a defamation lawsuit filed against CNN by California Republican Devin Nunes, a former ally of former President Donald Trump.
The lawsuit for more than $ 435 million in damages was rejected by U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who said Nunes did not request a timely withdrawal or properly set out his claims.
Nunes alleged that the cable news company intentionally published a fake news article and engaged in a conspiracy to defame him and damage his personal and professional reputation. His lawsuit said CNN published 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 that in court papers, CNN knew that Lev Parnas’ statements and included in his report were false.
Parnas, an associate of former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, has pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to making illegal contributions to politicians. His trial is scheduled for October.
Parnas and another 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 Ukraine affair sparked Trump’s first ouster, in which the Senate acquitted him in February last year. Trump was acquitted again last week, after being charged a second time with inciting the Capitol revolt.
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.
CNN’s lawyers said Nunes and his staff had declined to comment before posting 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 to claim more than $ 435 million in damages, labeling CNN as” the mother of fake news. ” “, wrote the lawyers of CNN. “In his haste to sue, however, Representative Nunes overlooked the need to first request a withdrawal.”
Lawyers noted that California law, which Judge Swain said was appropriate for the case, requires that a written retraction be requested within 20 days of the publication of a story. Messages were sent asking Nunes and CNN for comment.