Judge Orders Donald Trump To Pay The New York Times’ Legal Fees In 2021 Lawsuit

A New York decide ordered former President Donald Trump to pay almost $400,000 in authorized charges to The New York Times and three of its reporters after his failed lawsuit in 2021 over the newspaper’s bombshell stories on his tax data.

The 2021 lawsuit accused the paper, three of its reporters and Trump’s niece Mary L. Trump — who was a supply for The Times’ investigative stories into the usage of suspect tax schemes to keep away from paying thousands and thousands to the federal government — of participating in an “insidious plot” to acquire his personal recordsdata. Trump additionally alleged that they “were motivated by a personal vendetta.”

Trump sought no less than $100 million in damages within the lawsuit. But the case was thrown out final May by New York Supreme Court Justice Robert Reed, who dominated that the Times’ reporting of his tax returns was protected by the First Amendment proper to free speech.

“Courts have long recognized that reporters are entitled to engage in legal and ordinary news-gathering activities without fear of tort liability — as these actions are at the very core of protected First Amendment activity,” Reed wrote in his determination.

“Considering the complexity of the issues presented in this action, the number of causes of action, the experience, ability and reputation of defendants’ attorneys, the considerable amount in dispute, and the attorneys’ success in dismissing the complaint against their defendants … the court finds that $392,638.69 is a reasonable value for the legal services rendered,” Reed stated within the determination, in response to ABC News.

Trump objected to the quantity, arguing that the authorized work included “unjustified or duplicative work and exorbitant hourly rates,” ABC News reported.

A call had not been made concerning the allegations in opposition to Trump’s niece when the Times and its reporters had been dismissed from the case final 12 months. Her legal professional had informed The Washington Post that he was assured the court docket would rule equally in her favor and “protect [her] exercise of her First Amendment rights.”

In June, Reed allowed Trump’s claims in opposition to his niece to proceed, prompting her to request that the case be placed on maintain whereas she appealed the choice. Reed denied the request on Friday in a separate submitting, The Associated Press reported.