Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Local News


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - Page updated at 02:47 PM

E-mail article     Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

McDermott owes $1 million for secretly taped phone call

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., says Congressman Jim McDermott owes an Ohio congressman $1 million for leaking an illegally taped phone call to the media.

Today's decision may end the dispute that began in 1996 when John Boehner (BAY'-ner) was taped talking about an ethics case involving Newt Gingrich. The tape reached McDermott who gave it two newspapers. He says it's a free speech issue.

Boehner sued and the case has been in the courts for a decade. A federal court ruled McDermott had no right to release the call.

McDermott says the million-dollar judgment is a small price to pay in defense of the First Amendment. He created a defense fund, and it collected about $100,000 last year.

Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company

NEW - 01:28 AM
Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying

NEW - 12:13 AM
How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall

Danny Westneat: Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor

Parents want answers on new Seattle school boundaries

3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday

Advertising

Marketplace

nwautos

2009's most fuel-efficient sedansnew
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:
Advertising