Legal News

Ninth Circuit says Price is right to sue ABC for defamation

By Richard Binder

The Rev. Frederick Price sued ABC and then-"20/20" correspondent John Stossel for defamation in 2007 over footage of a sermon that made it seem Price was boasting about his riches. In fact, in the part of the sermon televised, Price was speaking hypothetically about a wealthy person who was spiritually unsatisfied.

Price's suit was dismissed by Judge R. Gary Klausner, who said that even though the words were taken out of context they were "substantially true." Price, who preaches the "prosperity gospel," does own a $4.6 million house and a Rolls-Royce.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, however, took issue with this ruling, saying the suit was prematurely halted and that the footage "materially changed the meaning of Price's words," according to Judge Mary Schroeder.

The case has been reopened. ABC had previously apologized and retracted its statements.

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Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on August 25, 2010 (boomark / email).