Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson loses libel suit

Associated Press ^ | Oct 1, 2013 6:54 PM EDT | Hannah Dreier

[Olog-hai]

Billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson has lost a defamation lawsuit against the National Jewish Democratic Council.

Adelson asked for $60 million in damages, arguing the council libeled him by saying his political contributions were sullied by links to prostitution.

On Monday, a federal judge in Manhattan found that the council’s speech was protected. Adelson, whom Forbes ranks as the ninth-richest American, is chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. and a major Republican donor.

The lawsuit accused the council of “assassinating” Adelson’s character by saying he personally approved of prostitution in resorts owned by Sands China Limited, a Las Vegas Sands subsidiary. …

[GeronL]

Adelson might donate to Republicans but he is most definitely not a friend to social conservatives

[Mr. K]

but that does explain why he lost his lawsuit (he donates to the wrong party)

[Piranha]

It is not a legally supportable decision, at least as reported by the AP. The libellers acted at best with reckless disregard of the truth.

Under this decision as reported you can say anything that is factually unsupported to assassinate someone’s character and argue that it is opinion. There is no more meaning to libel under this approach.

[Venturer]

I doubt if there is one of those on the National Jewish Council who hasn’t taken advantage of paid sex.

So why are they hammering this guy.

[Lurker]

All sex is paid for, one way or the other.

[Olog-hai]

They are the National Jewish Democratic Council (as in Democratic Party), and they were assailing a GOP donor. That’s all that mattered to them.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Under this decision as reported you can say anything that is factually unsupported to assassinate someone’s character and argue that it is opinion. There is no more meaning to libel under this approach.

It is almost impossible to win a libel case based on statements made in, or about, political campaigns. And that is a good thing. Do you think everyone who posts on FR could prove in a court of law that Obama is gay/ Muslim/ Communist?

[Venturer]

Amen brother, but I hit the Jackpot with my wife. 50 years now.

I don’t mind paying for value.

[Alberta's Child]

I don’t think he had a strong case. I’m guessing that the fact that the allegedly libelous statement about Adelson reflected what had already been alleged in an unlawful termination suit by a former employee gives a lot of protection to the defendant in this case.