MS Free Press: “Former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant’s defamation lawsuit against Mississippi Today over its welfare scandal coverage could be revived after several Mississippi Supreme Court justices questioned a lower court’s dismissal and suggested a jury should consider the case.
Bryant has accused the nonprofit publication and members of its staff of defaming him including, he alleges, by saying he “steered” millions in welfare funds to sports celebrities and other illegal uses. He also sued its former CEO for saying he “embezzled” welfare funds while speaking at a journalism forum in 2023. Neither state nor federal prosecutors have accused Bryant of a crime in the welfare case.
Lee Crain, an attorney from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, who is representing Mississippi Today, argued at the Mississippi Supreme Court on Wednesday that Bryant admitted in a 2022 interview with Mississippi Today reporter Anna Wolfe that “it doesn’t look good.” He was referring to some of the text messages she had obtained between him and key figures in the welfare scandal.
“I think the governor has conceded away anything that could establish falsity, anything that could establish actual malice. There’s no reason to even get out of the gate,” the attorney said.”