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| Global Relief lawsuit dismissed |
| 2003-02-22 |
| A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against The Associated Press and five other news organizations by an Islamic charity whose assets were frozen as part of the government's terrorism investigation. U.S. District Judge David Coar found the news organizations had reported accurately that the government was investigating the Global Relief Foundation of suburban Bridgeview to determine whether it was furnishing support to terrorists. In an 18-page opinion dated Wednesday and made public Friday, Coar said sworn statements by two officials involved in the terrorism investigation "have proven that GRF was in fact under investigation for possible links to terrorism at the time of their news reports." "It ain't libel if it's true, Clem." An affidavit signed by FBI Special Agent Brent Potter said the government was investigating Global Relief for "its possible ties to terrorist organizations, including al-Qaida, and its possible support of terrorist activities." A similar statement by R. Richard Newcomb, director of the Treasury Department's foreign assets control office, said Global Relief has been under investigation for possible terrorist ties at least since September 2001. Coar relied on the two statements in rendering a summary judgment in favor of the news organizations as well as eight reporters and writers also named as defendants. "In this case, GRF has failed to offer any evidence of falsity which would create a genuine issue of material fact," Coar said in his opinion. "So get the hell out of my courtroom." Global Relief attorney Roger Simmons said he would recommend to the organization that Coar's opinion be appealed. Sounds like he's getting paid by the hour... Besides the AP, the organizations named as defendants were: New York Times Co., ABC Inc., The Boston Globe, The New York Daily News and Hearst Communications. Global Relief Foundation has denied repeatedly that it has supported terrorism. It says it raises funds for charitable activities in Muslim countries around the world. "If we give them explosives for free, that's a charitable donation..." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #3 Pakislamistan? |
| Posted by: Jon 2003-02-22 14:11:51 |
| #2 Might it be........the Saudis???? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-02-22 12:15:04 |
| #1 So if Global Relief Foundation's assets are frozen, who is footing the bill for the defense and appeal? Mr. Ashcroft, inquiring minds want to know. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-02-22 11:25:20 |