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Coal tycoon's defamation lawsuit against John Oliver dismissed by judge
A judge has dismissed a coal mogul’s defamation lawsuit against comedian John Oliver and American TV network HBO.
Jeffrey Cramer, a West Virginia Judge, conceded to HBO’s argument that Bob Murray ceased to demonstrate the late night talk show host legally defamed him.
Bob Murray, a coal tycoon who is the CEO of coal mining giant Murray Energy Corp, asserted that Oliver portrayed his companies unfairly in a commentary about Donald Trump’s treatment of the coal industry.
Murray Energy Corp told The Independent the company would be appealing the judge's decision.
Oliver, who hosts US show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, devoted a 24-minute segment last June to remarking on the decline of the coal industry and Mr Trump’s pledges to resuscitate it.
The comedian denounced the 78-year-old mining magnate, who is one of the largest independent operators of coal mines in the US, and drew attention to Mr Murray's discussion of Barack Obama’s “evil agenda”.
