Rolling Stone: Subpoenas Issued to Newsmax Employees in Defamation Lawsuit Regarding 2020 Election

Newsmax Faces Subpoenas in Smartmatic Defamation Lawsuit

Voting-technology company Smartmatic has subpoenaed several current and former employees of right-wing cable network Newsmax as part of its defamation lawsuit against the network. Smartmatic alleges that Newsmax knowingly spread falsehoods about the company following the 2020 presidential election. In response to the subpoenas, Newsmax has asked its employees to hand over “mirror images of their personal cellphone, personal email, and iCloud.” Failure to comply could result in termination.

Smartmatic’s attorney, J. Erik Connolly, stated that the company intends to pursue discovery from Newsmax employees who participated in the “egregious disinformation campaign against the company.” While Smartmatic has already obtained some relevant material from the company, it seeks the rest from individuals. The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages sought by Smartmatic.

Newsmax initially pushed back on the Smartmatic defamation suit, claiming it was an intimidation tactic. However, in February 2023, the court allowed Smartmatic’s case to proceed. The network’s staffers are now being asked to provide pertinent material. Newsmax has not responded to Rolling Stone’s request for comment.

The defamation lawsuit against Newsmax comes after a similar lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News. Dominion’s lawsuit revealed how Fox News executives and talent knowingly spread lies about the 2020 election, leading to a massive settlement. Newsmax could potentially face a similar fate.

The Newsmax employees who have been subpoenaed express their dissatisfaction with the situation, stating that their personal data should not be involved in a civil lawsuit between two corporations. They view it as a violation of their privacy and an invasion. However, an insider explains that Newsmax employees have little choice but to comply with the subpoenas, as a court order must be followed. Failure to comply could result in termination.

Attorney Jasmine Rand confirms that Newsmax employees have little recourse but to turn over the requested items, as failure to comply with a court order could lead to their firing. The Smartmatic lawsuit is one of several defamation suits filed against media entities and individuals who spread the false idea that the 2020 election was rigged against Trump. Dominion Voting Systems has also filed lawsuits against Fox News, Newsmax, and others.

Newsmax staffers are understandably concerned that their texts, emails, and other correspondence may become part of the public record. However, it appears that there may not be much they can do to prevent it. The subpoenas in the Smartmatic defamation lawsuit against Newsmax highlight the ongoing legal battles surrounding election misinformation and the accountability of media organizations.

Original Story at www.rollingstone.com – 2023-06-25 12:30:00