Murray Opposing ACLU Amicus Curiae Role in HBO-John Oliver Defamation Suit
The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, seeking leave to file an amicus brief in Murray Energy's defamation lawsuit against HBO, Time Warner and show host John Oliver (see 1708020039), didn't cite any legal authority that might permit it…
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to be amicus curiae, Murray said in an objection (in Pacer) posted Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Wheeling, West Virginia. The ACLU didn't disclose "its indisputable and disqualifying bias," the coal company said. Murray said the ACLU has economic motivations, with Oliver on Last Week Tonight encouraging donations to left-leaning organizations that resulted in a surge in ACLU donations. Group Legal Director Jamie Lynn Crofts in a statement said that given the litigious history of Murray's CEO, "it seems only appropriate that Bob Murray's response to our brief is censorship. I look forward to justifying the ACLU's interest in this case by continuing to point out the unconstitutionality of Mr. Murray's original argument." Crofts said opposition was surprising since most such motions go unopposed and the ACLU has a long history of supporting free speech rights as amicus. Murray Energy didn't comment.