O'Leary, Fox move to dismiss defamation suit
Kevin O'Leary and Fox News Media asked a court in late September to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by Utah groups and individuals over claims linking them to Chinese funding.
Kevin O'Leary and Fox News Media have moved to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, and Joshua Kanter, according to court filings made in late September. The suit stems from O'Leary's on-air claims that Chinese IP addresses were behind online criticism of his Wonder Valley data center project.
O'Leary made the initial claim on Fox Business on May 11, saying he was under attack by Chinese agents. He later posted a clarification stating he had no evidence that Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, Taylor Knuth, or Josh Kanter are funded by China or the Chinese Communist Party. Six weeks after the May 11 appearance, Maria Bartiromo read the clarification on air, and Fox News Media apologized for the error.
Less than three weeks after the clarification, the four plaintiffs sued O'Leary and Fox for defamation. The case is now in its early stages, with the defendants seeking dismissal.
Background
In early May, three county commissioners unanimously approved O'Leary's data center project. The project, known as Wonder Valley, has drawn local scrutiny. The defamation suit is the latest development in a dispute that began with O'Leary's May 11 appearance on Fox Business.
The Verge has reached out to representatives for O'Leary and Fox News Media for comment.
Quick answers
Who is suing Kevin O'Leary and Fox News?
Alliance for a Better Utah, Elevate Strategies, Gabrielle Finlayson, and Joshua Kanter filed the defamation lawsuit.
What did O'Leary say that led to the lawsuit?
On Fox Business on May 11, O'Leary claimed he was under attack by Chinese agents and said Chinese IP addresses were behind online criticism of his Wonder Valley data center project.
What happened after O'Leary's clarification?
Fox News Media apologized on air, and less than three weeks later, the four plaintiffs sued O'Leary and Fox for defamation. In late September, the defendants moved to dismiss the suit.