Hunter wins $1.7mn in defamation case

Washington: Hunter Biden has won $1.7 million in punitive damages in a defamation lawsuit against former Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne, who falsely accused him of seeking an $800 million bribe from Iran, The Guardian rep[orted. US District Judge Stephen Wilson ruled that Byrne fabricated the allegations and acted with “actual malice”, finding no evidence to support claims that Hunter Biden had offered to influence then president Joe Biden in excha­nge for money.

The judge awarded Hunter Biden $1 in nominal damages and $1.7 million in punitive damages. Byrne was also ordered to pay about $35,000 in court sanctions.

Wilson said Byrne repea­tedly disobeyed court orders, failed to appear for trial and delayed the proceedings. The judge found “clear and convincing” evidence that Byrne intentionally misrepresented facts with conscious disregard for Hunter Biden's rights. Hunter Biden’s lawyer said Byrne had falsely accused his client of “treason” and war­ned of further legal action if the claims were repeated.