04/18/2023

Fox Scrambles to Settle Dominion Defamation Lawsuit for $787 Million

This allowed the cable network to avoid a trial

Fox Corporation and Fox News on Tuesday settled a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million, averting a high-profile trial putting one of the world's top media companies in the crosshairs over its coverage of false vote-rigging claims in the 2020 U.S. election.

The settlement was announced by Fox, Dominion and the judge in the case at the 11^th hour, with a 12-person jury selected on Tuesday morning and the case poised to kick off with opening statements on Tuesday afternoon. Dominion had sought $1.6 billion in damages in the lawsuit filed in 2021, with Delaware Superior Court Judge Eric Davis presiding over the case in Wilmington.

Dominion disclosed the settlement figure and its CEO John Poulos said Fox had admitted to telling lies about his company. Dominion attorney Justin Nelson said the settlement "represents vindication and accountability" and that "lies have consequences." Dominion lawyers declined to answer questions about whether Fox News would apologize publicly or make reforms.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Reuters.