“reckless disregard for the truth”
He’s not a public figure so he doesn’t have to satisfy the NY Times test and show actual malice either.
All he has to show that they defamed him: Any intentional false communication, either written or spoken, that harms a person’s reputation; decreases the respect, regard, or confidence in which a person is held; or induces disparaging, hostile, or disagreeable opinions or feelings against a person.
George could be sitting in the catbird seat before too long.