Judge dismisses Beers’ libel lawsuit against Copening

Former state Sen. Bob Beers' libel suit against state Sen. Allison Copening, D-Las Vegas, was dismissed Tuesday in District Court.

District Judge David Barker dismissed Beers' allegations that he was libeled, slandered and defamed by Copening during the 2008 election. The Republican accused Copening and the Nevada Democratic Party of sending out campaign mailers and running TV spots claiming that he was under review by the Nevada Ethics Commission.

The judge dismissed the case against Copening without prejudice because the spots were done by the Nevada Democratic Party, attorneys said.

The judge also dismissed the accusation of slander against the state Democratic Party but didn't throw out the accusations of libel and defamation.

Copening couldn't be reached for comment and officials with the state Democratic Party declined to comment.

Beers said he accepted the judge's decision but still is pursuing the libel case against the state Democratic Party. He maintains that it's untrue that he was under investigation by the ethics commission.

Beers ran against Copening in a tight race for District 6. Copening won by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent.