Madison County Circuit Court Judge Brad Mills dismissed former Governor Phil Bryant's defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today, Mary White, Adam Gaunacheau, and Anna Wolfe.
This matter is far from over. We plan to appeal. Justice can be found in our court systems when all of facts are finally presented. We will appeal this decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court in continued pursuit of the truth and for others who have been and will be wrongly accused and defamed.
51 comments:
I doubt Phil needed the money and he should be accustomed to folks saying he did bad stuff. I doubt any lasting harm to his politician's reputation was done at all.
Is this the defamation case wherein MT had been compelled to produce their journalistic source, or is it a different one?
Womp, womp. So many commenters here thought Phil would win because of the author’s political leaning. Funny how these press releases never hold up in court.
Not home right now working off the phone so it will be awhile before I can do real research
No Pigott, No Pulitzer.
This is proof that judge basically said hey nobody believes anything the MS Today says, the average Mississippian knows to Not believe it. Still waiting for Adam to have the sitdown with his mom who reviewed and signed off on the volleyball building at USM, I know its coming
Apparently the answer is yes.
Details here.
https://mississippitoday.org/2025/04/04/a-win-for-press-freedom-judge-dismisses-gov-phil-bryants-lawsuit-against-mississippi-today/
One common type of defense to a defamation claim is that the defendant was simply stating the truth.
Also a different suit was tossed last week.
https://www.wlox.com/2025/03/26/federal-judge-dismisses-former-gov-bryants-defamation-case-against-sports-illustrated/
"U.S. District Judge Kristi H. Johnson wrote that Bryant could not prove any of the elements of its defamation claim, most notably the allegation that Rosenberg acted with “actual malice,” which would be reporting something that the reporter knew to be false or operating with reckless disregard to the truth.
Johnson also dismissed many of the arguments from Bryant’s attorneys as being “conclusory,” meaning Bryant made allegations without the evidence to support them.
The motion to dismiss the claims from the Bryant’s was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it can never be brought again."
"I did nothing wrong. I wasn't aware of the wrongdoings of others."
Poor Deputy Pheel.
So @2:23 you are saying that the welfare scandal didn't happen? Or that it did happen, but no one is responsible? Republicans are people too, and sometimes they fuck up too.
Crooked "republicans" are not real republicans. They are just crooks who chose a party affiliation that works in their best self-interest.
Typical “the south shall rise again” battle cry from a losing Son and daughter of the confederacy
"Justice can be found in our court systems when all of facts are finally presented."
Is he saying he didn't have enough damned sense to 'present all the facts, already'.
Please take this scoundrel's name off the MSDWFP area named for him over in Warren County.
The judge's decision rested primarily on the fact that Phil Bryant is a public figure and it's more difficult for those in the public arena to prove libel. This decision doesn't mean that the reporting was fair, it just means the bar is set higher for public officials if they are going to prove libel. Another court may see it differently.
@5:37 - how do you know the judge’s reasoning? Are you involved in this case somehow?
@4:45 - you must hate the state of the current administration. Apparently there’s not a single “real Republican” serving in the executive office.
Still, Bret Farve and Phil Bryant walk free….
I have on good authority that Phil is an idiot
SO I guess that fishing expedition for the reporter's sources didn't help the case, to the surprise of no one.
what law did they break?
Who's the legal eagle whispering in disgraced Gov. Phil Bryant’s ear to sue the media? Hello, anyone remember the 1st amendment or freedom of the press? That sounds less like solid legal advice and more like high-priced, wannabe lawyers helping Phil spend the money he “earned” the old-fashioned way—questionably.
What does that even mean?
The Bryan Bailey defense. Working so far.
I thought this case was based on the public comments three MT employees made after winning the Pulitzer. It wasn't based on the reports published by MT. RIght? I think most posters here don't know the facts and allegations made in the case.
As a victim of a SLAPP lawsuit, all that I can say is: lol! Definition of a SLAPP suit.
No Pigott, No Pulitzer.
An award parlayed into a job managing no-name indie leaguers writing about ... dysfunctional Jackson. WOW. Talk about squandered opportunities. Maybe she can get Omari to leak her some damning stuff during Chuckie's last weeks in office.
Phil Bryant's lawyer made a mint representing Mississippi in the BP litigation.
I guess he was pretty much obligated to take this one on.
Didn't you get the memo. Freedom of the Press does not insulate the press against 'reckless disregard for the truth' or 'publishing something known to be false'.
I'm not claiming either of those exists, just education you as to the limits of free press speech which you seem to misinterpret.
Mississippi Today is in fact a leftist rag, but - in this particular case it was doing exactly what the U.S. Constitution/Bill of Rights meant for it to do - which is expose and broadcast government corruption. "Freedom of the Press" was meant to be the watchdog of the people against government overreach (tyranny) or abuse of its discretion.
Unfortunately, Freedom of the Press is now primarily used to promote communist propaganda because of who got complete control of it.
I’d like to see them charged with racketeering.
There’s more evidence against Phil Bryant than anyone else involved in the DHS case, yet he remains clear of the civil case and any criminal charges. The last thing Phil wants is all the facts presented. That’s a fact.
Forget Phil Bryant, for the minute. It's been three years and nobody has warmed a cell mattress. If this is an example of federal prosecution, Chokwe will never sleep a bed other than his own.
Can't argue with that.
It appears Deputy Phil will be appealing the dismissal of the lawsuit.
Chokwe may end up getting a presidential pardon if he can somehow win the mayoral race.
@2:23 - While that may be the defense of outlets like FOX News, that wasn’t the case here.
Unseal the pleadings - why hide Phil’s actions, Shad’s, etc., any longer? The scandal isn’t fashioned from those charged; it’s instead in the coverup.
What sealed?
7:59 AM is correct.
Love the sarcasm! I think we all appreciate his politician’s reputation.
Is it? Does any rational person believe that Bryant is innocent in the whole DHS debacle?
Who should be held responsible for paying back the Feds the 100M squandered during the Bryan administration?
What is a ‘real Republican?’ Did you mean a ‘Pfeel Republican?’
What’s a good authority… even the bad and mediocre authorities recognize this …
Well, Bryant loves to brag about his federal connections…
Legal eagle(s) - you mean his partners?
😂💪🏻
@2:54 - in terms the Phil fans may understand, Phil is down 21 with 2 minutes left on the clock. His offense has been figured out and his defense is gassed. His starting running back just had his leg amputated and his fans are booing. The league is investigating his use of deflated balls and deer antler spray. All that’s left is his pride, and that’s quickly fading.
As a mental health expert, I can say with clarity that Phil has egomaniac syndrome. He appears to have been caught with his hand in the cookie jar and can’t man up and apologize and make right the funds he stole.
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