Sheldon Adelson has filed a defamation suit against the National Jewish Democratic Council after the group refused to apologize for pushing unflattering news stories about prostitution at Adelson’s casino in Macau, China, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports. Adelson warned the NJDC that he would sue if they didn’t apologize — his lawyers sent a similar letter to the DCCC and got an apology. But the NJDC opted to bring on the lawsuit.
From the JTA:
“Referencing mainstream press accounts examining the conduct of a public figure and his business ventures — as we did — is wholly appropriate,” NJDC said in a statement. “Indeed, it is both an American and a Jewish obligation to ask hard questions of powerful individuals like Mr. Adelson, just as it is incumbent upon us to praise his wonderful philanthropic endeavors.”
The statement called Adelson’s lawsuit a “strategic lawsuit against public participation,” or SLAPP, a term used for legal maneuvers aimed not at obtaining justice but silence.
“We know that we were well within our rights, and we will defend ourselves against this SLAPP suit as far and as long as necessary,” NJDC said. “We simply will not be bullied, and we will not be silenced.”
