After a protracted legal battle, that lasted over eight years, a court in Washington D.C. has ordered University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann to pay National Review over half a million dollars in attorney fees and costs.
The ruling marks a significant victory for National Review, which was sued by Mann for defamation and infliction of emotional distress over two blog posts published in 2012 that criticized his work and involvement in a political dispute.
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Mann’s lawsuit, which the court ultimately deemed meritless, dragged on for years, forcing National Review to expend considerable resources in its defense. During the discovery process, it was revealed that Mann’s intention was to use the lawsuit to “ruin National Review.”
While National Review ultimately prevailed, the legal battle took a toll. “Between 2012 and 2019…we were forced to spend a considerable amount of time and money defending ourselves against his malicious, meritless suit,” the publication stated.
Last week’s court order requires Mann to pay National Review $530,820.21 within 30 days, providing some financial restitution for the publication.
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Although the award is less than the $1 million sought by National Review, it represents a significant victory for free speech and a rebuke of Mann’s attempts to silence criticism through litigation.
National Review expressed disappointment that the legal system did not act more swiftly to dismiss the frivolous lawsuit, but celebrated the final outcome. “Mann’s behavior throughout has been appalling,” the publication stated. “Now, he must pay up.”
This case highlights the importance of protecting free speech and the right to criticize public figures, even in the face of legal threats. It also serves as a warning to those who attempt to use litigation to stifle debate and silence opposing viewpoints.
Dr. Michael Mann is Presidential Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Pennsylvania, with a secondary appointment in the Annenberg School for Communication. His research focuses on climate science and climate change, according to the University of Pennsylvania.
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