Mike Lindell Defamation Case: Jury Orders MyPillow CEO to Pay $2.3M
Colaboradores
Denver, CO – A federal jury in Colorado has ruled against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, ordering him and his media company, Frankspeech, to pay $2.3 million in damages to Eric Coomer, a former Dominion Voting Systems director. The verdict stems from a defamation lawsuit filed by Coomer after Lindell repeatedly and falsely accused him of treason and manipulating the 2020 presidential election results.
Background of the Lawsuit
Eric Coomer, who served as the security and product strategy director at Denver-based Dominion Voting Systems, became the target of conspiracy theories pushed by allies of former President Donald Trump. These theories falsely claimed that Dominion's voting machines were used to rig the election in favor of Joe Biden. Lindell, a vocal supporter of Trump, amplified these claims on his online platform, calling Coomer a “traitor” and alleging he had proof of Coomer's criminal activity.
Coomer's Testimony and Impact
During the two-week trial, Coomer testified that Lindell's accusations had devastating consequences on his life and career. He stated that he faced severe emotional and physical distress, received death threats, and ultimately lost his job in election security. Coomer's lawyers argued that Lindell either knew the statements were false or recklessly conveyed them without verifying their truth.
The Jury's Decision
The jury found that three of the ten cited attacks leveled by Lindell or published on his platform amounted to defamation. This ruling underscores the potential legal ramifications of spreading false and unsubstantiated claims, particularly those that target individuals and their professional reputations.
- Damages: $2.3 million awarded to Eric Coomer.
- Defendant: Mike Lindell and his media company, Frankspeech.
- Plaintiff: Eric Coomer, former Dominion Voting Systems director.
Lindell's Response and Future Plans
Following the verdict, Lindell characterized the lawsuit as “lawfare” and vowed to appeal the decision. This case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the 2020 election and the legal battles that have ensued as a result of false claims and conspiracy theories.