A federal jury in Denver has concluded that businessman Mike Lindell defamed Eric Coomer, a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems, ordering Lindell to pay approximately $2.3 million in damages. The jury’s decision falls significantly short of the $62.7 million sought by Coomer, chiefly because it dismissed several claims that Lindell and his companies, MyPillow and FrankSpeech, were accountable for comments made by third parties on platforms he oversaw.
Coomer’s attorney, Charles Caine, expressed relief over the verdict, highlighting the toll the situation has taken on his client’s life. “Coomer has been through a lot and continues to be cautious,” Caine said. He emphasized that the case underscores the possibility of vindication for individuals targeted by public statements and hopes it serves as a warning to those involved in election-related activities to refrain from personal attacks.
Despite the ruling, Lindell celebrated the jury’s decision to find MyPillow non-liable for defamation, stating, “This is a huge victory for our country.” He reiterated his stance on continuing to voice allegations that voting machine companies are responsible for election fraud, framing the judicial outcome as a breakthrough in free speech rights in the face of ongoing legal challenges. Lindell has announced plans to appeal the damages awarded to Coomer, asserting financial difficulties.
Lindell is well-known for promoting false claims surrounding the 2020 presidential election, particularly allegations against Coomer and Dominion, suggesting they manipulated voting equipment. His online platform, FrankSpeech, has been a key site for disseminating these accusations.
Coomer’s legal team focused on ten specific statements made by Lindell or his associates that they argued were defamatory. They illustrated how Lindell had multiple opportunities to reconsider his claims but chose to persist in publicly asserting Coomer’s involvement in election fraud.
The defamatory assertions stemmed from comments made by Lindell, including a May 2021 statement where he labeled Coomer “disgusting” and “treasonous.” Following an earlier suit by Coomer, Lindell continued to express his belief that Coomer was involved in criminal activity surrounding the election.
As part of his defense, Lindell contended that Coomer’s reputation was already in jeopardy before his statements were made. He maintained that his beliefs were genuine and that certain remarks were a reaction to the defamation lawsuit against him.
Coomer has faced substantial hostility since becoming embroiled in the post-election conspiracy narrative, which began in late 2020 when a podcaster accused him of undermining electoral integrity without providing proof. The intense scrutiny and threats forced Coomer to leave a longstanding career in his field.
While Lindell continues to voice skepticism regarding the electoral process, he expressed uncertainty about the jury’s perspective during deliberations, reflecting on the nature of the questions they posed.
The implications of this case extend beyond the jury verdict, raising concerns about ongoing election-related conspiracy theories and the targeting of individuals in public discourse.
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