Judge dismisses GOP Biden impeachment witness lawsuit against Fox News host
A judge in New York has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Tony Bobulinski, a former associate of Hunter Biden, against Fox News host Jessica Tarlov over comments about his legal fees.
The defamation suit, which sought $30 million in damages, alleged Tarlov defamed Bobulinski during a March episode of "The Five" when she said his legal fees were paid by a super PAC supporting President-elect Trump.
Tarlov the next day corrected her comments on air saying, “What was actually said during the hearing was that the law firm representing Mr. Bobulinski was paid by a Trump PAC."
"I have seen no indication those payments were made in connection with Mr. Bobulinski’s legal fees, and he denies that they were," she added at the time.
A judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed the case Tuesday and ordered Bobulinski to pay Tarlov's attorney fees.
“Fox News is pleased with the court’s landmark decision, which not only dismissed Tony Bobulinski and Stefan Passantino’s meritless allegations against Jessica Tarlov, but also marks the first federal court decision to award attorney’s fees under New York’s anti-SLAPP statute," the network said in a statement.
Bobulinski briefly worked with the younger Biden, though the deal they worked on together was never completed. He was also a key GOP witness as they worked to connect the president to his son’s business dealings during impeachment proceedings.