.
CNN faced $100M lawsuit over botched Russia story
By Emily Smith
June 27, 2017
https://nypost.com/2017/06/27/cnn-st...hey-got-fired/
The specter of a $100 million libel suit scared CNN into retracting a poorly reported story that slimed an ally of President Trump's — and forcing out the staffers responsible for it, The Post has learned.
The cable network's coverage of Trump transition-team member Anthony Scaramucci came amid federal scrutiny of corporate parent Time Warner's pending purchase by AT&T — and the widespread belief among media execs that CNN President Jeff Zucker can't survive a merger.
CNN immediately caved after Scaramucci, a financier and frequent network guest, cried foul and threatened to take legal action, sources said Tuesday.
Scaramucci got an unusual public apology but still hired a top Manhattan lawyer to put further pressure on CNN and "look after [his] interests in this matter," one source said.
Sources also said the three journalists responsible for the retracted story — reporter Tom Frank, editor Eric Lichtblau and Lex Haris, who headed the CNN Investigates unit — were urged to resign.
"They called them in and said they'd pay out their contracts, but they should leave immediately," one source said....
Originally Posted by Colonel
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
