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Arizona judge slaps down Finchem, Gosar over defamation suit

KIFI
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Published 12:45 PM

By JONATHAN J. COOPER
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona judge has ordered three Republicans to pay $75,000 in attorney fees for filing a defamation suit against a former Democratic lawmaker “primarily for purposes of harassment.” The order issued Monday says the lawsuit filed by GOP secretary of state nominee Mark Finchem, U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar and a state Senate candidate was “groundless and not made in good faith.” The judge dismissed the lawsuit in April, finding the actions by former Democratic state Rep. Charlene Fernandez were protected by the First Amendment’s rights to free speech and to petition the government. Finchem said he is considering his next options. A spokesman for Gosar did not respond to an email seeking comment.

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