Justin Fairfax files defamation lawsuit against CBS News

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Richmond Times-Disptach

Justin Fairfax files defamation lawsuit against CBS News
BY PATRICK WILSON Richmond Times-Dispatch 19 min ago

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit Thursday against CBS Corp. and CBS Broadcasting in New York, alleging the network published false statements by two women who have accused him of sexual assault.

"Fairfax brings this action to restore his reputation and clear his name, ensure the truth prevails, stop the weaponization of false allegations of sexual assault against him, and vindicate his rights under civil law," the lawsuit said.

Vanessa Tyson, a college professor, has accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex in a Boston hotel room in 2004. Meredith Watson has accused Fairfax of raping her while the two were students at Duke University in 2000.

They made their allegations public - and later did interviews with CBS - in February, at a time when Gov. Ralph Northam faced intense pressure to resign over a scandal related to a racist photo on his page in his 1984 medical school yearbook.

Northam did not resign, but if he had, Fairfax would have become governor.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Virginia's Eastern District.

This is a developing story.


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Twitter: @patrickmwilson

https://twitter.com/patrickmwilson

Read more: https://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/justin-fairfax-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-cbs-news/article_bb364dd8-0be4-54d4-bcc0-c761404f2917.html

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I know: Twitter is no good as a source for LBN. I expect an article in the RT_D in a few minutes.

This is Virginia's lieutenant governor.

Editing now. Old excerpt:

.@LGJustinFairfax has filed a $400M defamation suit against CBS over the network's interviews with accusers Meredith Watson and Vanessa Tyson.

The suit claims a CBS lawyer went to Duke at the same time and had info putting Watson's accusations in doubt

Link to tweet

-- -- -- -- --

New tweet:

Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has filed a defamation suit against CBS News, @patrickmwilson reports.

Link to tweet

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Richmond article link is out

https://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/justin-fairfax-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-cbs-news/article_bb364dd8-0be4-54d4-bcc0-c761404f2917.html

Also NY Daily News - https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-justin-fairfax-sues-cbs-for-airing-interviews-with-accusers-20190912-p2znrtuumfhxtn67ywi35czee4-story.html

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Thanks. I just made the edit.

There's lots of Jerry Falwell stuff from the RT-D over in GD.

Aaaaannnnndddddd good morning to you. Severe thunderstorms are in the works for this afternoon.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. LOL

I saw the Jerry Falwell nightclub fiasco threads!

And good morning! Your area is a thunderstorm magnet (have seen it up close and personal many times).

[oldsoftie]

4. But he's not suing those who say he assaulted them? If the accusations are false, why not?

CBS interviewed the women as the news story that it was/is. If the accusations are found to have no merit, then CBS should issue a retraction of the story. if not, THEN you could file suit. Right?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Who's got the money, CBS or his accusers? NT

[oldsoftie]

9. Sure what it looks like. nt

[wishstar]

5. Here is more detail from the Richmond article:

"The lawsuit said an eyewitness was present "during the consensual encounter between Watson and Fairfax" and accuses CBS of not asking Watson if she encountered anyone while entering or leaving the room.

The lawsuit accuses CBS of intentionally failing to investigate leads, some of which were provided by Fairfax’s team, and of not asking questions that Fairfax’s spokeswoman suggested they ask.

The lawsuit said "a current CBS legal officer, who was a Duke classmate of Watson’s and Fairfax’s, had information all along that Fairfax did not rape or sexually assault Watson."

That CBS lawyer, the lawsuit alleges, is an associate general counsel who was a fraternity brother of Fairfax and the eyewitness at Duke, and also had dated Watson."

[rictofen]

7. Fairfax to Covington student Nick Sandmann: "hold my beer"

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. Pretty much. A lieutenant governor is a public figure. He has a high bar to get over. NT