BigLaw firm withdraws letter demanding CNN retract story on Cabinet pick's stock purchase
U.S. Rep. Tom Price.
After CNN published a story on Monday about the timing of stock purchases by one of Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, Dentons fired off a letter demanding a retraction.
Never mind. In a second letter dated Jan. 18, Dentons said the first letter should not have been sent because the law firm represents CNN on other legal matters, the Washington Post reports. “On behalf of the firm,” the new letter said, “we apologize for the letter.”
The new letter says Dentons no longer represents U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., who is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, in his complaint against CNN.
CNN had reported that Price purchased shares in a medical device company last March before introducing legislation that would have benefited the business. The original Dentons letter said Price introduced the bill long before he became aware of the stock purchase, which was made by Price’s broker.
Repetition of the reporting, the original letter said, “can be treated as a knowing publication of false statements and as potentially defamatory communications.”
The Post story says Price was asked to respond to the allegations before the story was published, but a spokesman gave a general statement that did not address the specific allegations. The statement said Price complied with congressional disclosure rules and took seriously his obligation to uphold the public trust.
Updated at 10:35 a.m. to clarify that Dentons no longer represents Price with regard to his complaint about CNN coverage.
