A defamation suit filed against CNN by California Republican Devin Nunes, a key ally of former President Donald Trump, was dismissed by a Manhattan judge on Friday.
The lawsuit seeking more than $ 435 million in damages was dismissed by US District Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who said that Nunes did not request a retraction in a timely manner or presented his claims properly.
Nunes claimed that the cable news company intentionally published fake news and was involved in a conspiracy to defame and damage his personal and professional reputation. His lawsuit said that CNN published a report containing false claims that Nunes was involved in efforts to “dirty” the then Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.
Nunes’ lawyers said in court documents that CNN knew that the statements made by Lev Parnas and included in his report were false.
Parnas, an associate of former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, pleaded not 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 authorities to investigate Biden’s son, prosecutors said. Giuliani said he knew nothing about the political contributions of men. He was not charged.
Ukraine’s case led to Trump’s first impeachment, in which the Senate acquitted him in February last year. Trump was acquitted again last week after being charged a second time for inciting the Capitol riot.
Nunes’ lawsuit said Parnas was lying to try to get immunity.
“It was obvious to everyone – including the shameful CNN – that Parnas was a fraudster and a drug dealer. It was obvious that his lies were part of a veiled attempt to obstruct justice, ”said the suit.
CNN lawyers said Nunes and his team declined to comment before publication if Nunes met with a Ukrainian prosecutor.
“Instead of denying the report before it was published, Mr Nunes waited until it appeared and then filed a lawsuit asking for more than $ 435 million in damages – labeling CNN as ‘the mother of false news’,” they wrote CNN’s lawyers. “In his haste to sue, however, Deputy Nunes neglected the need to first request a retraction.”
The lawyers noted that California law, which Judge Swain said was appropriate for the case, requires that a retraction be required in writing within 20 days of the publication of a story. Messages asking for comments were sent to Nunes and CNN’s lawyers.