Bobulinski filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and alleged Tarlov “lied” last week when she initially claimed Bobulinski’s legal fees were paid by a Trump super PAC.
Bobulinski’s attorney sent a letter requesting a retraction and apology a day later and Tarlov clarified her previous remarks on air, stating: “What was actually said during the hearing was that the law firm representing Mr. Bobulinski was paid by a Trump PAC. I have seen no indication those payments were made in connection with Mr. Bobulinski’s legal fees, and he denies that they were.”
A spokesperson for Fox News maintained Thursday that Tarlov’s clarification was accurate and made known the host was not aware of anything linking payments from a Trump PAC to Bobulinski’s legal fees.
“Jessica Tarlov’s March 21st statements were accurate and made clear that she was not aware of anything to indicate that payments from a Trump PAC to Elections, LLC were made in connection with Tony Bobulinski’s legal fees,” a Fox News spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill. “We stand by our decision to not issue any further corrections and will vigorously defend against these inaccurate claims.” (RELATED: Fox News ‘Will Not Issue Any Further Correction’ Despite Threats From Impeachment Witness)
Lawyers for Bobulinski alleged Tarlov’s initial comment, in which she said, “OK, Tony Bobulinski’s lawyers’ fees have been paid by a Trump super PAC. That’s as recent as January,” was made to “achieve media headlines and ratings.”
The comment “deliberately besmirched” the character of Bobulinski and Passantino and was “an attempt to discredit” the businessman’s earlier testimony before the Oversight Committee, Bobulinski’s lawyers wrote in the suit.
The lawyers argued Tarlov did not make a “complete retraction and apology” during her on-air clarification, calling it “half-hearted, incomplete and unacceptable” in a second letter to the host.
Bobulinski’s legal team is asking for $30 million in damages, arguing Tarlov sought to “defame and undermine” his character.
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