Condit Sues Over Chandra Levy Articles

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 12-20-2003 | Jill Barton

[blam]

Condit Sues Over Chandra Levy Articles

Saturday December 20, 2003 2:46 AM

By JILL BARTON

Associated Press Writer

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Former Rep. Gary Condit sued The National Enquirer and other tabloids for $209 million on Friday, alleging they falsely connected him with the 2001 murder of federal intern Chandra Levy.

The California Democrat alleges that the Enquirer, Globe and Star Magazine tabloids, along with parent company American Media Inc., maliciously published defamatory statements that Condit ``was involved in deviant and perverted sexual conduct, which directly or indirectly led to the kidnapping and/or murder of Ms. Levy,'' according to the suit filed in Palm Beach County circuit court.

AMI General Counsel Michael Kahane said in a statement that the Boca Raton-based company ``will vigorously defend any suit filed by Mr. Condit'' and that he expects it to be dismissed.

``We fully stand behind the editorial integrity of what we have published,'' the statement said.

Condit's lawsuit details 45 pages of headlines he alleges were false and defamatory, such as ``Congressman & the intern. Chandra killed in kinky sex game!''

The lawsuit claims the tabloids failed to reasonably investigate the stories and paid sources for the false statements ``in a calculated effort'' to boost profits.

Condit is asking for $19 million in actual damages, plus $190 million in punitive damages.

During the yearlong investigation into Levy's disappearance, Condit told police he had a romance with Levy but knew nothing of her disappearance. He is not considered a suspect in her unsolved death, which was ruled a homicide after her remains were discovered in a Washington, D.C., park in May 2002.

The case drew months of negative publicity and was cited as the main cause of Condit's re-election defeat in the March 2002 primary.

His wife, Carolyn, settled a lawsuit with the Enquirer for an undisclosed amount in July.

Condit has another lawsuit pending, an $11 million defamation complaint, against author Dominick Dunne.

[blam]

POS Condit!

[John Beresford Tipton]

This is great news for the paper. Previously they had to pay people to hope to find things out about the POS. Now they can depose him and anyone linked to him about his "deviant activities"

[WackyKat]

``Congressman & the intern. Chandra killed in kinky sex game!''

A menage a trois with Bat Boy?

[JSteff]

That's what I was thinking. He may just have this all back fire on him.

[thoughtomator]

Hope he wins

[tessalu]

Just because Condit escaped a murder charge, because of dingy Washington DC cops, does not mean that he should collect a bundle. I think he is guilty.

[Revolting cat!]

Condidit!

[thoughtomator]

Oh I just want to see the tabloids take a bath. Maybe someone can use it as a precedent to bankrupt the New York Times.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"A menage a trois with Bat Boy?"

Heard that Bat Boy truly can't live without sucking.

[Diver Dave]

"We Have Not Forgotten - Gary Condit's Rotten!!!"

Pinging the usual FReepin' suspects...

[Jim Robinson]

"Gary Condit is a dirt bag."

[Finny]

A menage a trois with Bat Boy?

Hold on, there! Bat Boy is an exclusive of the Weekly World News, a hilarious and pro-Bush tabloid spoof that is a gas to read -- it was the one with obviously doctored photos on its cover one week of Saddam and Osama as bride and groom! Note Weekly World News is not on the list of papers being sued. Don't be dissin' Bat Boy!!!

[Palladin]

I don't know whether Condit had Chandra killed or not. But he's an evil immoral punk anyway. Modesto is well rid of him as their congressman.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

He is gonna cash in... 'Only in the USA, baby' (Don King)

[Judith Anne]

I can't wait to hear how these depositions go...if any of these papers settle, I'm REALLY going to be mad.

I think Condit's still in the House until January, right? And he's going to get retirement pay and all, right? Now he wants to be rich, as well....

I despise this so and so. Makes me remember all kinds of things about Clinton and that Starbucks robbery where the girl was killed, stuff like that...Condit ought to just go away and quit reminding people about that watch box he threw away in a McDonald's container...that skeletal wife of his...

[pepsionice]

Maybe I've been watching too many Sopronos episodes...but I really have doubt that Condit (and associate) did the act. I think Chandra was going to meet at the park and Condit knew it was serious business and she needed to be taken out of the picture...thus some mafia connection of Condit's was supposed to be there to accomplish it. But somewhere in the park....the park rapist (unrelated to Condit) met up with Chandra and she attempted to escape...and falls down a hill...breaking her neck. The mafia guy never accomplished his hit...Condit got worried about the whole thing...where did she go? So he runs over to her apartment and checks out the whole place that night....and is completely puzzled by the disappearance of Chandra and thinks she already left town. Thus Condit is truely innocent...(only in the mind of course).

[potlatch]

Bump to that!!

[WackyKat]

I don't think Condit killed her either

I think the guy who is in jail for committing very similar rapes and robberies in the same park killed her

But, of course , he still wanted to cover-up their relationship and some other things in his private life such as the alleged sex parties, to protect his career

[jnarcus]

And of course the libel cases with regards to a public figure ( and politicians fit the bill) are particularly difficult to win. The press is pretty well protected even when they print the most outrageous claims...Old Gar must be having a tough time finding a job and is running low on cash....I think he is hoping for a pay day and most definitely does not want to anwer questions about the kinky sex stuff the police found or the watch box or the affair or any of it...If his wife had migraines before think about what's ahead

[hdrider]

Truth...Gary Condit OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE for MONTHS by not coming forth to DC police with the TRUTH about his involvement with Chandra. If he wasn't involved with her disappearance and she was still alive during this time he is as guilty as the murderer.
Condit still is painting himself as "THE VICTIM" hoping the people will forget the whole story/timeline.
Chandra's parents should file a WRONGFUL DEATH lawsuit against Condit..and then maybe he would ...SHUT-UP!

HEY, HEY, HO, HO, GARY CONDIT'S GOTTA GO!