PIERRE, SD – The South Dakota Supreme Court granted a temporary stay in Beef Products Inc.'s defamation lawsuit against ABC News, the Sioux-City Journal reported.
South Dakota Supreme Court Justice David Gilbertson granted the broadcaster's motion for a stay while the Supreme Court decides other legal issues raised by ABC News lawyers.
BPI is suing ABC News over the network's coverage of lean finely textured beef (LFTB). Attorneys for BPI claim that ABC News defamed the BPI's LFTB product in news reports and social media posts. The company lost $400 million in profits and at least 700 workers lost their jobs as a result of the broadcaster's reporting, BPI lawyers said.
BPI is seeking more than $1 billion in damages for defamation, product and food disparagement and tortious interference with business relationships.Read Meat&Poultry's profile of Eldon Roth, BPI CEO.
