A Delaware judge has ruled against computer repairman John Paul Mac Isaac in his defamation lawsuit involving Hunter Biden’s laptop, dismissing claims not only against Hunter but also against news outlets and Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.
Mac Isaac alleged that he was defamed by assertions implying that the laptop, which was left at his Wilmington shop in April 2019, was part of a Russian disinformation campaign. The controversy intensified after The New York Post reported on emails from the laptop in October 2020, which detailed Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine.
This led to a public statement from 51 former intelligence officials who claimed the laptop story had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation,” a claim later proven false.
In addition to Mac Isaac’s defamation claims being dismissed, the judge also ruled on Hunter Biden’s counterclaims, stating they must be dismissed due to delays in filing.
Hunter Biden’s legal team argued that his comments regarding the laptop were opinion-based and did not mention Mac Isaac by name, which the judge agreed with.
Mac Isaac’s attorney, Ronald Poliquin, indicated plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing that Hunter Biden misled the public by linking Mac Isaac to a supposed Russian plot despite evidence that he dropped off the laptop at the shop.
The judge also dismissed Mac Isaac’s defamation claims against CNN and Politico, reinforcing the view that the comments made were protected opinions.
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