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ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos had claimed in his March 10 show that Donald Trump had been civilly found liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.
US President-elect Donald Trump (AP Image)
US President-elect Donald Trump will get $15 million (approximately Rs 127.5 crore) from ABC News as part of a defamation lawsuit settlement over the anchor’s inaccurate on-air assertion for him.
George Stephanopoulos, the news anchor claimed that Trump had been civilly found liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.
What Are The Agreements?
ABC News posted an Editor’s note on its website as part of the settlement, which was made public on Saturday, and expressed regret over the anchor’s remarks made on the March 10 episode of his “This Week” programme. The media network will also pay $1 million as part of legal fees to Trump attorney Alejandro Brito’s law firm.
The settlement agreement refers to ABC’s payment toward the presidential library as a “charitable contribution,” designating the funds for a non-profit organisation associated with the planned construction of the library.
ABC News spokesperson Jeannie Kedas said that the organisation is pleased that the two parties have reached an agreement to “dismiss the lawsuit on the terms in the court filing.”
Both Parties Sign Agreement
The settlement agreement was signed on Friday when a Florida federal judge ordered Trump and Stephanopoulos to sit for separate depositions in connection with the case next week. Now that the two parties have settled the matter, sworn testimony will no longer be needed.
The agreement had Trump’s bold signature alongside electronic signature having ‘GRS’ on the side of the anchor’s space. ABC News Group President Debra OConnell also signed the agreement electronically.
According to the agreement, ABC News is required to transfer $15 million for Trump’s library into an escrow account managed by Brito’s law firm within 10 days. The network must cover Brito’s legal fees within the same timeframe.
(With AP inputs)
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)