US Judge Rejects Kash Patel Defamation Case Against Frank Figliuzzi
The case centered on remarks in which Figliuzzi suggested that Patel spent more time in nightclubs than at FBI headquarters. Patel argued that the statement was false and harmful to his reputation.
In the ruling, the judge concluded that the remarks amounted to “rhetorical hyperbole” that could not reasonably be interpreted as a factual claim. The court found that “The Court finds that Figliuzzi’s statement is rhetorical hyperbole that cannot constitute defamation. Accordingly, Dir. Patel has failed to state a claim against Figliuzzi, and his lawsuit must be dismissed,” as stated in the decision.
The judge further noted that “The Court finds that Figliuzzi’s statement, when taken in context, cannot have been perceived by a person of ordinary intelligence as stating actual facts about Patel.”
It was also emphasized that a reasonable reader would not interpret the comments literally, including the idea that Patel had spent more time in nightclubs than in his office. The ruling described the statement as exaggerated and intended for effect rather than factual reporting, noting it was delivered “in an exaggerated, provocative and amusing way, employing rhetorical hyperbole.”
In addition, the court ruled that Figliuzzi could not recover attorney’s fees or court costs under Texas anti-SLAPP provisions.
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