Donald Trump can sue niece over NY Times article, court rules
CTV
A New York state appeals court said Donald Trump can sue his niece Mary Trump for giving the New York Times information for its Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 probe into his finances and his alleged effort to avoid taxes.
A New York state appeals court said Donald Trump can sue his niece Mary Trump for giving the New York Times information for its Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 probe into his finances and his alleged effort to avoid taxes.
The Appellate Division in Manhattan found a "substantial" legal basis for Donald Trump to claim that his niece violated confidentiality provisions of a 2001 settlement over the estate of his father, Fred Trump Sr.
A five-judge panel said it was unclear whether Mary Trump's disclosures were subject to confidentiality, or how long both sides intended the provisions to remain in effect.
It also signaled that the former U.S. president might deserve only minimal damages, not the US$100 million he sought.
"At a minimum, nominal damages may still be available on the breach of contract claim even in the absence of actual damages," the court said.
Lawyers for Mary Trump said the lawsuit violated a state law barring frivolous cases designed to silence critics and "chill and retaliate against" their free speech. These cases are called strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPPs.
"Mary has made valuable contributions to the public's knowledge of the former president with her unique perspective as a family member," her lawyer Anne Champion said in a statement. "We are confident she will be vindicated as the case proceeds."
