Extra: Nunes Sued NBC for Maddow Report on Russia Package Now Summary Judgment Motion Due

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by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Oct 8 –     Then-Congressman Devin Nunes sued NBC after Rachel Maddow reported on March 18, 2021 that he had gotten a package from Russian agent Andriy Derkach and had not turned it over to the FBI.

  On October 8, 2024 a proceeding was held before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge P. Kevin Castel. Inner City Press was there, thread:

OK - now at Devin Nunes v. NBCUniversal, defamation case. As only media here, Inner City Press will live tweet

Nunes' lawyer: We will establish reckless disregard [of the truth] thought Rachel Maddow's testimony. Defense: She relied on Politico. And she read the interview in Breitbart. Judge: But if Politico had an unidentified source, could Rachel Maddow rely on it?

Defense: Rachel Maddow was asked that at her deposition. She routinely relies on Politico. Defense: It was vetted by Politico and Mr. Nunez was given every opportunity to rebut it and did not. Judge: A public figure might have a good reason to not confirm publicly that they turned something over to the FBI...  

Defense: Rep Pelosi went public about packages from Russian agents. Rep Nunes was unwilling to speak. And the documents were not preserved. We got an FBI 302 that does not jibe with his allegations. All we got was his letter to the Attorney General 

Judge: Did you speak with the Nunes staffer who allegedly turned the package over to the FBI? Defense: We have...  Nunes' lawyer: Leaving aside whether Politico is credible, NBC's own policies disfavor single unidentified sources.

Judge: On NBC's motion [for summary judgment], it's due Nov 21, opposition Jan 13, reply Feb 12. This is set in stone.

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