Home | News Briefs | U.S. | World
| Celeb Buzz | Entertainment | Sports | Business | Health | Sci / Tech | Politics | Weird & Offbeat
Lobbyist Drops $27 Million Lawsuit Against New York Times Over McCain Story
February 20, 2009 9:50 a.m. EST
Kris Alingod - AHN Contributor
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A year after controversy raged over her ties to the Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Washington lobbyist Vicki Iseman dropped her $27 million lawsuit against the New York Times on Thursday.
Iseman had sued the Times last Dec. 30, saying the newspaper had "deliberately implied that she had an affair with McCain. The story, "For McCain, Self-Confidence on Ethics Poses Its Own Risk," was published last February, about the same time the senator secured the Republican nomination.
The Times settled the defamation lawsuit without having to pay or retract anything from its article.
But it did publish a statement from Iseman's lawyers on Thursday saying, "When originally published in the midst of a hard fought presidential campaign, the article triggered an avalanche of criticism from readers, public commentators, and even The New York Times' Public Editor. This case is now ended, on the basis of an agreed settlement that includes a Note to Readers, a Joint Statement, the publication of this Commentary."
"We offer these thoughts in the spirit of prompting meaningful debate concerning the vital importance of drawing the proper balance between the need for free and open public disclosure and the privacy rights of individuals. We came to know Ms. Iseman as a strong, hard-working, diligent and effective professional... We also witnessed, first-hand, the tremendous harm that was caused by an article that we believe cut to the heart of our client's personal as well as public identity," the statement added.
The newspaper said in "A Note to Readers" its story about McCain and "his record as an ethics reformer who was at times blind to potential conflicts of interest included references to Vicki Iseman." The newspaper added, "The article did not state, and The Times did not intend to conclude, that Ms. Iseman had engaged in a romantic affair with Senator McCain or an unethical relationship on behalf of her clients in breach of the public trust."
An excerpt from the controversial article reads: "Some of the senator's advisers had grown so concerned that the relationship had become romantic that they took steps to intervene....A former campaign adviser described being instructed to keep Ms. Iseman away from the senator at public events, while a Senate aide recalled plans to limit Ms. Iseman's access to his offices. In interviews, the two former associates said they joined in a series of confrontations with Mr. McCain, warning him that he was risking his campaign and career. Both said Mr. McCain acknowledged behaving inappropriately and pledged to keep his distance from Ms. Iseman."
The story had caused conservatives, including Rush Limbaugh and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, to rally behind McCain, who at the time was seeking to unite Republicans behind his impending nomination, including those who did not support his "maverick" stance on issues. McCain's campaign communications director at the time had said the Times had "lowered its standards to engage in a hit and run smear campaign."
Iseman's firm had also accused the Times of "malicious innuendo" and said, "Alcalde & Fay's relationship with Senator McCain has been professional, appropriate and consistent with his legislative, jurisdictional and constituent duties."
Copyright © 2003 - 2009 AHN - All rights reserved.Redistribution, republication. syndication, rewriting or broadcast is prohibited without the prior written consent of AHN.License AHN news for your website, business, digital signage network or publication.
Home | News Briefs | U.S. | World | Entertainment | Sports | Business | Health | Sci / Tech | Politics | Weird / Offbeat
© 2009 AHN
Client Login |
Submit News |
Privacy Policy |
Terms of Use
|
Contact
| Content Services
All Rights Reserved
Other News on Friday, 20 February 2009 Iran slows atom plant growth but fuel stockpile jumps
| International
|
NATO allies offer limp response to U.S. Afghan call
| International
|
U.S. Navy, NATO toughen action against pirates
| International
|
Mugabe says court should resolve MDC Bennett's case
| International
|
IAEA finds graphite, more uranium at Syria site
| International
|
Scientists make advances on nano electronics
| Technology
|
Look beyond jobs for U.S. broadband payoff: experts
| Technology
|
Some GOP Governors Criticize Stimulus, Will Still Accept Money
Suspected Ku Klux Klan Leader Indicted On 2nd Degree Murder Charges In Shooting Death Of Female Klan-Wannabe During Initiation
Class action status denied in Microsoft Vista case
| Technology
|
Report: Feds Subpoena Blagojevich's Wife
Update: Obama Arrives In Ottawa In First Foreign Trip
Victim's Family, Friends Fight To Keep Killer In Prison In Florida
Survey Finds Recession Causing Hospitals To Lay Off Staff
Maldonado Agrees To Be Third GOP Vote On California Budget
Huge Q4 Loss Opens Playboy Enterprises' Mind To Sale, Reorganization
Total Jobless Claims Nears 5 Million-Mark; First-Time Claims Unchanged
Severe Southeast Storms Leave 1 Dead, 7 Injured
Just a Minute With: Oscar nominee Kate Winslet
| Entertainment
|
When it comes to Oscars, advertisers skip spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Duffy sweeps BRIT pop awards, Coldplay out in cold
| Entertainment
|
Coldplay and Bono team up with Take That for charity gig
| Entertainment
|
Obama, creativity star as Rio Carnival defies crisis
| Entertainment
|
Suspected Ku Klux Klan Leader Indicted On 2nd Degree Murder Charges In Shooting Death Of Female Klan-Wannabe During Initiation
William Shatner Says He Wants To Be Prime Minister Of Canada
Huge Q4 Loss Opens Playboy Enterprises' Mind To Sale, Reorganization
Price Of Gold Soars To $977.7 An Ounce
Kyrgyz president signs law closing US base
Kyrgyzstan shuts U.S. base
| International
|
Lieberman endorses Netanyahu for Israeli premier
Iran slows atom plant growth but fuel stockpile rises
| International
|
Actor Playing "Friday The 13th" Murderer Jason Voorhees Attacked During Party
Iran says has own raw uranium supply
British clinical trial yields success with nut allergies
U.S. tells North Korea to end insults, return to talks
| International
|
Germany's ex-chancellor urges direct Iran-US talks
Russia urged to find journalist's killers
U.N. launches talks to expand Security Council
| International
|
Huge gamma-ray blast spotted in space
U.S. lawmakers make rare visit to Gaza
U.S. envoy calls Pakistan's Zardari over Swat deal
| International
|
Clinton in SKorea, focused on NKorea's nukes
Netanyahu wins backing in Israeli PM contest
Women's ski-jumping stake claim for Olympics berth
Mexico's shrinking families could cut flow to U.S.
| International
|
Iraqi provincial election results
UBS admits tax fraud after US charges
Latin American drug gangs use GPS to outwit police
| International
|
US-backed Sunni group takes Anbar vote
Malaria: Spoonful of sugar could save thousands of children
Obama, creativity star as Rio Carnival defies crisis
| International
|
Debate flares over Obama housing plan
2,500 languages threatened with extinction: UNESCO
Obama in Canada on first foreign visit as president
Careful Obama soothes Canada on first foray abroad
Scientists make advances on nano electronics
| Technology
|
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,245
U.S. asks Poland for more time on missile defence
Clinton To North Korea: Stop Threatening Seoul
Vizio passes Sony in flat panel TVs
| Technology
|
BP Settles Pollution Case With Texas For $180 Million
US Sen. Kerry goes to Gaza Strip, avoids Hamas
Disney buys kids Web site Kerpoof
| Technology
|
Boy, 9, Pleads Guilty To Homicide In Shooting Dead Of Dad, Man
Gates: New US administration still mulling shield
Group, Blind Sue Law School Admissions Body For Inaccessible Web Site
NASA readies mission to find Earth-like planets
Feb 19 Highlights Of Low Points Of U.S. Economy
Disney buys kids Web site Kerpoof
Obama in Canada to address fears of protectionism
FDA Links 3 Brain Infection Deaths To Skin-Clearing Drug
Vizio passes Sony in flat panel TVs
SEC Names Khuzami As New Director Of Enforcement
Kyrgyz parliament votes to close US base
Iraqi Journalist Says He Threw Shoes At Bush To Retaliate For Humiliation
Scientists map CO2 emissions with Google Earth
Wall Street Closes Lower As Dow Hits Fresh Multi-Year Low
eBay renames 'yellow star' after 'Nazi' complaint
Guadeloupe talks on as Sarkozy aims to quell unrest
Ottawa Welcomes Obama
adds video and pictures to search advertising
Irish FM discusses human rights with Cuba
Scientists make advances on "nano" electronics
Russia acquits all accused in Politkovskaya trial
Recording industry website hacked over Pirate Bay trial: report
Anger in Britain as radical cleric wins payout
Sprint Nextel posts 1.6 bln dlr quarterly loss
Chinese auto maker plans to take on giants with electric cars
Vizio passes Sony in flat panel TVs
Recession takes a toll on U.S. festivals
| Entertainment
|
Networks' comedy pilots reflect recessionary times
| Entertainment
|
When it comes to Oscars, advertisers skip spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka troops capture Tiger diving gear: military
Turbulence on Japan-bound flight injures 30
U.N. looks into charge over Clooney guard in Chad
| Entertainment
|
30 injured as US-bound flight hits turbulence: officials
Idols grieving Danny Gokey hopes to lighten up
| Entertainment
|
Kim names top officer his deputy at powerful body
Stroke Risk Linked To Number Of Fast Food Restaurants In A Given Area
Thai PM visits Indonesia to discuss migrants
Bomb kills 6 at Shiite funeral in Pakistan
Heavy snow eases drought in north China
Hollywood producers give new offer to actors guild
Clinton tells NKorea to stop provocations
States woo Hollywood with tax breaks
China quake-damaged reservoirs fixed by end-2010: official
UN looks into charge over Clooney guard in Chad
Japan's navy holds anti-piracy exercise
Foreign firms shed jobs in China: state media
S.Korean won sinks to 3-month closing low
TMZ posts photo it claims is a beaten Rihanna
Prudential Plc to exit Taiwan insurance mkt-sources
Economic gloom clouds London Fashion Week
Philippine 2009 remittances to contract 8 pct: RBS
US drivers continue 14-month trend by driving less
Japan turns to 'work-sharing' to avoid layoffs
Potatoes, corn, broccoli: America's favorite veggies
SKorean bankers dismiss fears of credit crisis
Sri Lanka youth turned off by Oscar-nominated rapper's war views
Weak Taiwan dollar not panacea for economic ills
INXS singer says broke, homeless after fired from band
China's Chery Automobile launches own hybrid car
"Star Trek": Enterprise marketing
Seoul shares at 2-mth low on shipbuilders, banks
Clinton in SKorea, focused on NKorea's nukes
Veteran Oscar scribe Bruce Vilanch spills secrets
NZ benchmark stock falls to near five year low
Clinton focuses on NKorea's nuclear drive
Website unites bands and film talent for low-budget music videos
China concerned after Russia fires on ship
"Idol"s grieving Danny Gokey hopes to lighten up
Fear Pill Seen As Cure For Emotional Disorder
Boy, 9, Pleads Guilty To Homicide In Shooting Dead Of Dad, Man
Group, Blind Sue Law School Admissions Body For Inaccessible Web Site
Iraqi Journalist Says He Threw Shoes At Bush To Retaliate For Humiliation
Netanyahu picked to form Israel govt
Netanyahu asked to form Israel's next government
| International
|
Netanyahu picked to form Israel govt
Dolly Parton Will Not Be Featured In "Hannah Montana" Movie
Kyrgyzstan hands U.S. air base eviction notice
| International
|
Netanyahu to form Israeli government
First Picture Of Badly-Bruised Rihanna After Chris Brown Beating Released
Eurozone in 'dire, breakneck' descent
U.N. seeks contact with American's captors in Pakistan
| International
|
Circulating Oscar Awards Winners List A "Complete Fraud"
President leads mourning for Sudanese author Salih
Saab to restructure to avoid bankruptcy
Five die in Ukrainian cargo plane blaze in Egypt
Suicide bomber kills 27, wounds 65 at Pakistan funeral
| International
|
Stanford, the man who hit cricket for six
Jewish-Arab duo faces criticism ahead of songfest
Tajikistan allows NATO cargo transit to Afghanistan
| International
|
UBS plunges 10 pct amid widening US tax fraud probe
French construction group to raise new capital, cut jobs
AP Interview: Reid pushing for climate change bill
National Guard goes green to conserve energy, cost
Alleged fraudster Stanford found
Social networks are telcos' new best friend
| Technology
|
Kerry, on Mideast trip, handed Hamas letter for Obama
US-TECH Summary
Social networks are telcos' new best friend
Kyrgyz president signs law closing US base
Massachusetts To Increase Gas Tax By 19 Cents
Lobbyist Drops $27 Million Lawsuit Against New York Times Over McCain Story
Los Angeles Watchdog Bares Loose Hiring Practices For Sheriff Department
UBS American Depositors Rush To IRS Hoping For Leniency
Charities Also Filing For Bankruptcy
First Lady Continues Federal Tour With Visit At Agriculture Dept.
Controversy Surrounding Burris Deepens With Ethics Probe, Revelations Of Former Blagojevich Aide
Nearly Intact Columbian Mammoth Skeleton Found At CA Construction Site
President, Nation's Mayors To Discuss Stimulus At White House Friday
Missouri's Roy Blunt Launches 2010 Senate Bid
British reality TV star is dying in the spotlight
| Entertainment
|
Waltz looks to dance away with foreign film Oscar
| Entertainment
|
Slumdog is no cliche, says Indian author
| Entertainment
|
Kyrgyzstan issues eviction notice to key US base
Novel describes innocent boy's Guantanamo ordeal
| Entertainment
|
Attackers behead 2 soldiers in southern Thailand
China slams Russian attitude to sunken ship: report
Just a Minute With: Oscar nominee Kate Winslet
| Entertainment
|
Growing HIV rates among gay, bisexual men in Asia
Suicide blast kills 30 at Shiite funeral in Pakistan
'Regional' solution for Myanmar migrants: Thai PM
Report: Prudential to acquire failed Japan insurer
China pushes Russia to investigate ship incident
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee flat
Grenade explosion injures 15 in Bangladesh
South Korean won falls to near 11-year low
Heath Ledger's family celebrates his Oscar nod
'Algae-eating fish' used to clean up Chinese lake
Survey: China still key factory base amid slump
Grenade explosion injures dozens in Bangladesh
Japan's Kirin buys 43 pct of San Miguel's brewer
Shares up in China, elsewhere, but will it last?
Japanese stocks tumble as Topix hits 25-year low
Report: China still key factory base amid downturn
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Taiwan lowers rates for T$ reserve requirements
"Slumdog" is no cliche, says Indian author
Placido Domingo wins $1M Nilsson Prize for opera
I'm with the band! Oscars stage design revealed
'Slumdog' kids ready for the Oscars
Japan marijuana offences hit new high: police
Heath Ledger's family celebrates his Oscar nod
Networks' comedy pilots reflect recessionary times
Recession takes a toll on U.S. festivals
Charities Also Filing For Bankruptcy
Workers Find Mammoth Skeleton, Other Fossils, Digging For Underground LA Parking Garage
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights