Baria sues Mississippi PAC for libel
In a developing story, Rep. David Baria (D – Bay St. Louis) has filed suit against Advance Mississippi PAC, a front group for Republican candidates in the 2011 legislative elections. The lawsuit also names Steve Simmons, the director of Advance Mississippi, as a defendant. Dwayne Bremer of the Sea Coast Echo broke the story last week, and Geoff Pender of the Clarion-Ledger wrote about it on Saturday.
The lawsuit seeks damages for libel, and points to mailers from Advance Mississippi PAC that claimed Baria cast votes to raise his pay and raise taxes on food. Those claims were demonstrably false.
This will be interesting to follow. I can’t recall a lawsuit similar to it in recent Mississippi history.
Find links and more at Cottonmouth
11/26/12
