Jones and Jackson Campaigns Trade Defamation Lawsuits Ahead of Georgia GOP Runoff
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’s company refiled a $100 million libel suit against rival Rick Jackson on Thursday after an earlier version was dismissed for lack of service. The filing comes days before the June 16 Republican primary runoff.
Washington ExaminerJones Petroleum Co. refiled a $100 million defamation lawsuit against Rick Jackson and affiliated entities on Thursday. The suit accuses Jackson’s campaign of publishing an advertisement and website that falsely link Convenience Stores Inc.
To a criminal racketeering enterprise. , which holds a Georgia license to operate coin-operated pay-to-play machines. The company stated that the material remains publicly available and continues to damage its business, including potential termination of franchise agreements.
The suit seeks at least $100 million in damages. An attorney for Jones told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that a Fulton County jury will decide the claims regardless of the June 16 runoff outcome. The lawsuit was first filed in March but was dismissed for lack of service.
It was refiled one week before early voting begins in the Republican primary to succeed term-limited Gov. Brian Kemp. An attorney for Jackson told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the claims hold no merit.
The filing marks the second defamation action in the race; Jackson sued Jones and his campaign in March, alleging Jones accused him of recruiting for Planned Parenthood and assisting doctors with transgender procedures on minors. The runoff between Jones, President Donald Trump’s endorsed candidate, and Jackson has become one of the most expensive and contentious contests in Georgia history.
Jackson’s self-funded advertising elevated him from political newcomer to a top contender, while Jones has drawn on his statewide profile.
The winner will face former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the November general election.
