Rep. McClellan on CNN, Takes on Trump; Del. Dan Helmer Files Defamation Suit; Newport News State of the City
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Del. Dan Helmer Files Defamation Lawsuit Regarding Unproven Allegation That Damaged Run for Congress
DEFAMATION LAWSUIT. Last year, before the June 2024 congressional primary in Virginia, Delegate Dan Helmer was accused of an unproven MeToo allegation. The unsubstantiated allegation was the subject of a “press release signed by four past Loudoun County Democratic Committee chairs,” according to a story in the Loudoun Times Mirror on June 14, 2024. There was no known police involvement in the matter, which was alleged to have occurred in 2018.
Del. Helmer has now filed a defamation lawsuit in Fairfax County Circuit Court alleging defamation. Defendants listed include attorney Charles King and Avram Fechter.
But was it true? Del. Helmer denied the allegations, which surfaced at a suspicious time: Shortly before a hotly contested primary. Several of his opponents demanded he drop out of the race.
“Defendants published the defamatory statements set forth herein in Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia; the Defamatory statements were received and read within Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia; and Plaintiff was damaged in Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia,” the lawsuit reads in part. (The full court filing is below).
Though it’s difficult to confirm, the rumors and negative stories likely damaged Del. Helmer’s chances of victory. Del. Helmer came in second to then-State Senator Suhas Subramanyam in the primary. Rep. Subramanyam is now a U.S. Representative. After the primary election, the stories and rumors related to the allegations disappeared.
In recent years, several MeToo related allegations involving elected officials have featured one-sided reporting that left out exonerating information. They include the New York Times’ reporting on fmr. Governor Andrew Cuomo, fmr. U.S. Senator Al Franken and fmr. Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax.
In July 2022, the Associated Press and The Intercept reported that the FBI was asking questions regarding “political motivation” in Fairfax’s case.
We will continue to analyze this legal case.
Congresswoman McClellan on CNN on Air Crash, Trump
Rep. Jennifer McClellan was on CNN last night regarding the air tragedy this week at National Airport.
Mayor Phillip Jones: Newport News State of the City
MAYOR PHILLIP JONES of NEWPORT NEWS. Mayor Jones’ State of the City address took place at Christopher Newport University. The theme of Jones’ address was "Our City, Our Story, Our Moment."
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