"U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks Jr. wrote that Figliuzzi's statement was 'rhetorical hyperbole that cannot constitute defamation' and that 'a person of reasonable intelligence and learning would not have taken his statement literally.'"
"Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit over an article alleging he has engaged in 'excessive drinking' and 'erratic' behavior as FBI director."
"The FBI's attempt to criminalize routine reporting is a troubling development, according to Times editor Joseph Kahn, who criticized the investigation into reporter Elizabeth Williamson."
Kash Patel's defamation lawsuit against Frank Figliuzzi was dismissed by a federal judge, who ruled that Figliuzzi's comments about Patel's nightclub visibility were rhetorical hyperbole. Patel had sued Figliuzzi for $250 million over allegations of excessive drinking and erratic behavior. The judge noted that a reasonable person would not interpret Figliuzzi's statement literally. Additionally, the FBI investigated New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson for her reporting on Patel, but the investigation was halted by Justice Department officials amid criticism from Times editor Joseph Kahn.
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