(RightWing.org) – Dominion Voting Systems filed a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News Network, LLC, in March 2021. The 139-page complaint claims the media organization knowingly defamed it in the wake of the highly disputed 2020 presidential election by broadcasting allegations that the company’s voting machines facilitated mass voter fraud. Jury selection began last week, but not before the judge overseeing the case sanctioned Fox for allegedly withholding evidence.
On April 12, Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric M. Davis sanctioned Fox News attorneys after Dominion lawyer Davida Brook accused them of handing over discovery materials at the last minute. Brook played recordings of two preliminary background conversations before on-air interviews between Fox News host Maria Bartiromo and two attorneys who worked on election lawsuits for former President Donald Trump.
Brook advised the court that she only received those recordings a week prior after a court filing from a former Fox News employee revealed their existence. Abby Grossberg, a former producer for Tucker Carlson and Bartiromo, sued the company in March for discrimination. She also claimed Fox attorneys coached her before Dominion lawyers deposed her.
US judge sanctions Fox News after claims it withheld evidence in $1.6b lawsuit https://t.co/XF8BwdpaAp
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 13, 2023
Additionally, Fox News lawyers only recently disclosed that Fox Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch also served as the head of Fox News despite being asked by Dominion lawyers and the court about his position within the companies. Dominion claimed had they known that information earlier, it would have sought additional documents and information from Murdoch.
Judge Davis ordered Fox News to “do everything it could” to make individuals available for additional depositions or to redo earlier ones in light of the new revelations and pay all costs. He also indicated he might appoint a special master to investigate whether the media organization or its attorney lied to the court and to determine the necessity for additional sanctions.
It’s important to note that the trial will not address allegations surrounding the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Jurors will only consider if Fox News acted with malice and the amount of damages to award to Dominion if it prevails in the case.
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