DALLAS — In a significant reversal by the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas, the earlier ruling against Jonathan Rute, accused of being an FBI informant and implicated in a defamation lawsuit, has been overturned. The legal saga drew public attention when Rute was accused of providing pivotal information to a local TV station, leading to reports that compared Plano spine surgeon Stephen Courtney to the notorious “Dr. Death” neurosurgeon, Christopher Duntsch.
In 2021, Rute faced a jury verdict that mandated him and his co-defendants to pay nearly $11 million to Dr. Courtney for alleged damages to his reputation and business. These stories had claimed that Courtney prioritized profits over patient safety, an accusation he staunchly denied.
However, the appellate court’s decision discarded the previous orders and affirmed that Dr. Courtney and his professional association would receive nothing from the lawsuit against Rute concerning claims of conversion, tortious interference, and violations of trade secrets. Additionally, the conspiracy claim lodged against Rute was also negated.
Despite not being available for direct comments, Rute’s attorney, Ty Clevenger, expressed relief over the court’s latest findings. The ruling not only liberated Rute from the financial burdens linked to the defamation lawsuit but also allowed him to initiate legal action against Dr. Courtney over alleged malicious prosecution, aiming for damages exceeding $5 million.
Elaborating on the relief the decision has brought his client, Clevenger highlighted the broader implications for Rute’s career and personal life. As a defense contractor and engineer, Rute had reportedly suffered from job losses and rejections stemming directly from the accusations and the ongoing lawsuit, according to his lawyer.
The legal battle began to unfold when WFAA-TV aired series of investigative pieces in 2017 that scrutinized Courtney’s medical practices, likening his behavior to that of Duntsch, whose malpractices had led to patient deaths and severe injuries. Former patients of Courtney interviewed by the station claimed that unnecessary and unsafe surgical devices were used, prioritizing financial gains over patient care.
Courtney contended that these televised narratives were not only detrimental but costly, alleging a loss of 208 procedures due to patients canceling or not scheduling surgeries, which he valued at about $10 million in business revenue from May 2017 to the end of 2020.
After a 12-person jury recognized the legitimacy of Courtney’s complaints in September 2021, it seemed like a costly end for Rute and his alleged conspirators. However, revelations during ongoing legal proceedings showed complications in evidence gathering, including unauthorized data compilation from Courtney’s former business partner, which influenced the jury’s decision.
Moreover, Clevenger has also called for federal investigation into the conduct of the judge presiding over the 2021 trial, alleging severe bias and improper handling of the case, which he linked to his client’s role as a confidential informant.
The tables have turned with the appellate court’s recent judgment, setting the stage for another courtroom showdown, where stakes remain high for both Rute and Courtney. As legal proceedings continue, the case is likely to keep the local community and legal observers closely watching for further developments.