Fox News Requests George Soros to Comply with Subpoena in Smartmatic Lawsuit
Fox News has filed a court motion in New York, requesting billionaire George Soros to comply with a subpoena and produce documents as part of the network’s defense against defamation claims brought by voting systems company Smartmatic. In a recent court filing, Fox’s lawyers argue that the network is entitled to all evidence relevant to Smartmatic’s claims and Fox’s defenses, including evidence related to Smartmatic’s connection with the Soros Group.
Smartmatic sued Fox News in 2021, seeking $2.7 billion in damages. The voting systems company accused Fox of maliciously providing a platform for former President Trump’s attorneys, Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani, to spread false claims about the 2020 presidential election. As part of the legal discovery process, Fox is seeking to depose Mark Malloch Brown, the president of the Soros-backed Open Society Foundation and former chairman of Smartmatic’s parent company.
Fox argues that the Soros Group cannot refuse to disclose relevant evidence simply because one aspect of their connection to Smartmatic is already publicly known. However, Smartmatic has not yet commented on Fox’s motion. When Fox initially issued subpoenas to Soros and his organization for documents related to the case, Soros and the Open Society Foundation objected to the requests, stating that they are not relevant to the claims or defenses of any party in the case.
George Soros, a progressive billionaire, is frequently targeted by the political right, with conservative commentators and Republican elected officials often accusing him of using his wealth to influence U.S. elections and Democratic policy. Earlier this year, Fox News agreed to pay $787 million to Dominion Voting Systems to settle claims stemming from false statements made on its airwaves about election fraud and Dominion’s software.
Fox News has been unsuccessful in its attempts to have the Smartmatic case dismissed and anticipates that the trial will not take place until 2025. The network’s ongoing legal battles highlight the complex legal landscape surrounding media organizations and the potential consequences of spreading false information.
In conclusion, Fox News is seeking George Soros’s compliance with a subpoena as it defends itself against Smartmatic’s defamation claims. The network argues that it is entitled to all relevant evidence, including information about Smartmatic’s connection with the Soros Group. The outcome of this case will have implications for media organizations and their responsibility in reporting accurate information.
Original Story at thehill.com – 2023-10-05 15:13:00
