MARYLAND (WBFF) — Republican gubernatorial candidate John Myrick has filed a multi-million dollar defamation suit today against a local media company and its owner.
According to a press release from the Myrick campaign, the suit is against News and Time Media, LLC, and owner, Jeffrey Peters, who is a teacher of literature at the Bard High School Early College, a liberal private school in Baltimore.
The suit claims that Peter and his company defamed Myrick’s character with repeated “stolen valor” accusations, and details specific incidents accusing Myrick of falsely representing his military record.
According to Myrick’s campaign, this was done in violation of the Stolen Valor Act of 2013, a federal law that criminalizes falsely stating certain aspects of military service.
In the suit, Myrick is seeking punitive damages in the amount of $100 million and other unspecified compensatory damages.
Myrick’s campaign said that he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, and retired after nearly 23 years of service as a decorated combat veteran.
During his service, Myrick participated in the invasion of Panama in 1989, the Persian Gulf War in 1990-1991, Somalia in 1992-1993, and the former Yugoslovia conflicts of the early 1990s.
Myrick’s campaign says he has published documentation that verifies his status, and has authorized the release of his full military record to both FOX45 News and the Baltimore Sun.
“I am very proud of my military service, and I find it unconscionable that any alleged media outlet would choose to continue to question the character of my service, especially after they were provided documentary evidence. I will not have my character defamed with impunity,” Myrick said via a press release.
A trial date has not yet been set.
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