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Mich. GOP: Web Site Faces Libel Suit Over Foreclosure Voting Storyby Josh Gerstein
A libel suit will be filed soon against an online publication, the Michigan Messenger, over its report that a county Republican chairman in the state said foreclosure lists would be used to challenge voters at the polls in November, the Michigan Republican Party chairman said on a conference call with reporters this afternoon. The Macomb County chairman, James Carabelli, has denied making the statement, but the online news outlet has stood by its report. "It is a suit with respect to libel and that will be filed, hopefully, by the end of the day," Mr. Anuzis told reporters. Later in the call, a party spokesman, William Nowling, said a formal demand for retraction would be served on the Messenger tomorrow by Mr. Carabelli. "There's no truth to the story. It's a complete fabrication," Mr. Anuzis said. "There has never been a plan to use foreclosure lists to challenge voters." Under Michigan law, a party filing a libel suit against a publication must demand a retraction first and then wait "a reasonable time" before filing suit. However, the president of the non-profit organization which owns the Messenger, said this afternoon that no retraction will be forthcoming. "We stand by our story," David Bennahum, the president and CEO of the Center for Independent Media told The New York Sun. "We're not issuing a retraction." "We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses," the Messenger quoted Mr. Carabelli as saying."I think there may have been some leading questions. they were trying to get him to mention the word, 'foreclosure,'" Mr. Anuzis said. "I think this was pretty much a set-up." Mr. Bennahum said he had not received notice of any demand letter or any libel suit at this point. "It's all, as they say, hearsay," he said. The threat of a libel action followed the filing of a federal lawsuit today by the Democratic Party and Senator Obama's campaign seeking an injunction against the alleged Republican effort to block residents of foreclosed homes from voting. Related Topics: General Election |
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