Nashville District Attorney Files $200 Mil Defamation Lawsuit Against Channel 5’S Parent Company And Reporter Phil Williams

Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk has filed a $200-million defamation lawsuit against the parent company of Channel 5, Scripps Media and investigative reporter Phil Williams.  Funk alleges that the story that aired Wednesday night was certainly untrue.

The lawsuit claims that the story of Williams "Explosive allegations emerge from David Chase case" was untrue, The Tennessean reports.  Williams and Scripps Media Inc., WTVF-NewsChannel 5's parent company, were named as defendants in the lawsuit. The district attorney said that the speculations of blackmail and bribery involving David Chase had no basis. On Thursday, Funk filed the suit in Davidson County Circuit.

"According to the Story, a political consultant working for David Chase requested $2,000,000.00 from Chase's father to 'make [the domestic violence case against Chase] go away.' "The Defendants imply that this money was intended to pay a bribe to 'someone.' Mr. Funk has had no contact with this political consultant (Bill Fletcher), whether by e-mail, telephone, or face-to-face conversation, during his tenure as District Attorney," an excerpt from Funk's suit says.

Funk is seeking a $200-million for retraction and damages, Biz Journals reported. Funk's lawyer, James Kay wrote in an email that the damages will be donated to non-profit organizations that help protect women who have been assaulted and abused. In 2014, Chase was arrested twice for assaulting his ex-girlfriend twice in 24 hours.  

"Mr. Funk did not blackmail or attempt to blackmail David Chase," the lawsuit reads. "Further, at no point has Mr. Funk solicited, been offered, or accepted any bribe, including during his tenure as District Attorney."

Chase filed a lawsuit against police department and metro last year.  However, by July last year, Funk's office has given up the domestic violence charges over Chase claiming there's no credible key witness.  Chase then also dismissed the lawsuit he filed against the metro Nashville authorities.  As of this late, the NewsChannel 5 hasn't commented on the pending case.

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Nashville DA Glenn Funk, Nashville DA Glenn Funk lawsuit, $200-million defamation lawsuit, Scripps Media, NewsChannel 5 parent company

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