Attorneys for Democratic Congressional Candidate Bob Harvie filed a lawsuit August 5 against the Defending America PAC and its president, Chris Pack.
The suit claims that Defending America has sustained a “campaign to defame Harvie by repeatedly and recklessly publishing false and defamatory statements imputing criminal conduct that go beyond the bounds even of a highly contested political campaign.”
Defending America has been supporting Republican incumbent Congressional Candidate Brian Fitzpatrick throughout the campaign.
Through their “Fire Bob Harvie” advertisements, the SuperPAC has been uplifting Fitzpatrick while vehemently bashing Harvie with unusual statements.
From claims of forcing taxpayers to give Harvie a raise to Harvie committing a crime that the FBI is investigating, these alleged wrongdoings have no proof to support them.
In the week leading up to the lawsuit, Defending America PAC sent out an email blast to their supporters saying, “in the interest of finally reaching the discovery phase of this lawsuit…we’re willing to pay for Harvie to sue us.”
In response Harvie said, “put your money where your mouth is. Just tell us where to send the bills. See you in court.”
“Brian Fitzpatrick has gone Washington and is now making headlines for all the wrong reasons,” said Eli Cousin, the Mid Atlantic Regional press secretary at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Fitzpatrick is more focused on clinging on to power for himself and his corporate donors than he is on lowering costs for Bucks County families. This is a major embarrassment for Fitzpatrick and one of many glaring signs that even he knows he is on track to lose in November.”
Throughout the smear campaign, Defending America has received funds from some of the largest Republican donors in the country.
Among them include: Harlan Crow, a billionaire real-estate developer, who donated $25,000 to the PAC; and Craig Duchossois, former chair of a Chicago-based investment firm, who donated $50,000.
READ: Harlan Crow’s Deep Dark Money Connections
Keystone Next, an unrelated super PAC, received a $250,000 donation from Pennsylvania’s richest and largest Republican benefactor, Jeffrey Yass. Two days later, Keystone Next donated $100,000 to Defending America.
Dan McCormick, Bob Harvie’s campaign manager, made the desired lawsuit outcome clear: “Regarding damages, we would request a public apology, removal of the defamatory ads and damages listed below.”
According to the lawsuit:
“Plaintiffs Bob Harvie and Bob Harvie for Congress respectfully request this Court enter judgment in their favor and against Defendants, and award compensatory damages, presumed damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees in excess of $150,000 as well as costs of suit, as permitted by law and such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.”
