GOP Senator Alleges Defamation Over Ad Featuring Pregnant Mom He Sued for Unpaid Medical Debt

19 days ago by Corvidae to c/politics

Attorneys for Sen. Roger Marshall accuse Adam Hamilton of producing a "defamatory" ad. Marshall's lawyers demand the ad be taken down.

Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton of producing a "defamatory" ad centered on a former patient who was arrested for missing court dates related to unpaid medical debt owed to the Kansas Republican.

In a letter sent to Hamilton, Marshall's attorneys claimed that the ad released last week by the Kansas Democrat's campaign contained "false" information and must be taken down.

"We demand that you immediately cease and desist from any further publication, broadcast, distribution, or promotion of the advertisement," the letter said.

The ad in question features Meischa Zimmerman—a one-time patient of Marshall, a former obstetrician-gynecologist—who was arrested in 2011 after missing a $50 payment.

...

floofloof 60 points 19 days ago

According to the Times’ reporting, at least 81 one-time Marshall patients have been arrested for missing court dates stemming from their unpaid medical bills, with one patient taken into custody owing just $114.

The Times investigation also found that Marshall or his office sued more than 700 patients for unpaid bills throughout his two-decade career.

Oh well, I guess they'll have to make an advert about one of the other hundreds of people he did this to then. Not that it will sway Republican voters, for whom callousness is a feature.

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FergleFFergleson 43 points 19 days ago

Time for someone to learn about the Streisand effect....

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dan1101 37 points 19 days ago

Is it defamation if it's true?

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stoly 24 points 19 days ago

The truth is a 100% defense. It’s only defamation if you KNOWINGLY speak a false statement that is harmful to the reputation. Add to it that public figures have a higher threshold than members of the public to prove defamation.

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assembly 12 points 19 days ago

This is America…it’s defamation if the person calling it defamation has more money. Otherwise it’s just sparkling parody.

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Cethin 8 points 19 days ago

Literally it's not, but practically it sometimes is, if you don't have the money for representation or time to take off work to fight it. This guy is obviously used to using his money to bully people. I'm assuming it's not going to work in his favor this time.

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Passerby6497 9 points 19 days ago

Looks like Kansas has a strong anti-SLAPP law, so hopefully she'll be able to get that dismissed pretty quickly.

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EvilBit 3 points 18 days ago

It’s the Democratic challenger being sued for defamation in this case, not the fucked-over mom. Hopefully the truth still holds up in favor of the defendant here.

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Fredselfish 29 points 19 days ago

Let it go trail and we get discovery they will drop the lawsuit. He is scum and should be buried under a prison.

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bedwyr 6 points 19 days ago

I didn't know Kansas was doing the end run around debtor's prisons as well. Utah has been doing this shit for a decade or more.

Big city firms buy distressed debt, sue in the big city where they have friendly and I presume paid off judges, and when defendants don't show up, they get contempt charges on them. If they pay they get out of jail. If not, after 30 or 60 days they get out, only for it to happen again.

Usury. A rejection of Christianity, of Christ, and a stain on your ShitHoly States! Fuck you.

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noob -7 points 19 days ago

Fuck this guy, but I’m down to get rid of official attack ads in general.

Of course I despise advertisements of all varieties, but political attack ads are a special type of unwelcome assault on our collective mental health.

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adarza 31 points 19 days ago

this isn't the usual 'attack' ad though.. which is why the magat is so riled-up. it's based on facts, including verifiable and indisputable public records kinds of facts, that he can't make up some bullshit to counter.

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CrimeIsLegalNow 14 points 19 days ago

And, hot take, you should be able to attack trash people running for office. That everyone has a different opinion on what a trash person is is the inherent flaw of democracy.

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bedwyr 2 points 19 days ago

I would not call that a hot take so much as a Precept of the American Constitution.

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BassTurd 6 points 19 days ago

I also hate attack ads, but probably mostly because they are all sensationalized and half truths. If someone brings receipts, I don't care as much, but I absolutely hate all political ads, positive or negative. I can't wait until after the midterms are done.

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