Categories: OLD Media Moves

Court throws out libel lawsuit against business journal

A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed against the Springfield Business Journal by an Oklahoma tax protester who had accused the publication of libel and slander, according to a Springfield News-Leader story.

The story stated, “The lawsuit stemmed from a Nov. 26, 2007 article in SBJ that profiled Martin R. Dingman and Shane O. Grady, a pair of Branson businessmen who had pleaded guilty to federal charges of failing to file tax returns.

“After being sentenced to probation, the two men went on a speaking tour for the government to discourage others from becoming involved in illicit tax protests and tax-evasion schemes.

“In their interview with SBJ, the men referenced attending a seminar by Lindsey K. Springer, of Tulsa, an anti-tax advocate who has been involved in several failed lawsuits challenging the legitimacy of the Internal Revenue Service and federal tax system.

“Springer sued SBJ, reporter Matt Wagner, Dingman and Grady after the article’s publication, seeking $1 million in damages from each for libel, slander and defamation.”