Adelson sues Jewish Democratic group for defamation
Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson, whose casino business successes and controversies and contributions to Republican causes have placed him squarely in the public spotlight, sued the National Jewish Democratic Council and its leadership for libel, alleging the outfit claimed he approved of prostitution in his Macau casinos.
The NJDC, which "maximizes Jewish support for Democrats at the federal and state levels of government," issued this statement in response to the Adelson lawsuit:
"We will not be bullied into submission, and we will not be silenced by power. This is not Putin's Russia, and in America, political speech regarding one of the most well-known public figures in our country is a fundamental right. One would think the person making greatest use of the Citizens United ruling would understand this. To be sure, referencing mainstream press accounts examining the conduct of a public figure and his business ventures -- as we did -- is wholly appropriate. Indeed, it is both an American and a Jewish obligation to ask hard questions of powerful individuals like Mr. Adelson, just as it is incumbent upon us to praise his wonderful philanthropic endeavors.
"We know that we were well within our rights, and we will defend ourselves against this SLAPP suit as far and as long as necessary. We simply will not be bullied, and we will not be silenced."
Adelson recently extracted a retraction and apology from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on the same subject.
The DCCC wrote, "In press statements issued on June 29 and July 2, 2012, the DCCC made unsubstantiated allegations that attacked Sheldon Adelson, a supporter of the opposing party. This was wrong.
"The statements were untrue and unfair and we retract them. The DCCC extends its sincere apology to Mr. Adelson and his family for any injury we have caused."
