Experts: Murdoch testimony "guts" Fox's best defense -- but he may set up top exec to "take the fall"

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Fox Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch may have damaged the company's defense in Dominion Voting Systems' $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit — but some media analysts believe he is setting up Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott to "take the fall" in the case.

Murdoch's deposition admitting that some Fox News "endorsed" false claims about the election "guts" the network's best defense, CNN legal analyst Elie Honig argued on Wednesday.

"Every day that it's on the air and continues to push some of the basis of what this defamation lawsuit's about, they do have legal liability and exposure," former federal prosecutor Laura Coates said on "The Situation Room."

Honig agreed that Murdoch's testimony "really guts what I think is the best potential defense here for Fox."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/experts-murdoch-testimony-guts-fox-s-best-defense-but-he-may-set-up-top-exec-to-take-the-fall/ar-AA1894BC

That wrinkly old prune doesn't want to take the fall.

[Ocelot II]

1. It doesn't matter which individual "takes the fall" because the lawsuit is against the corporation.

The legal doctrine of respondeat superior means that an employer is liable for the misdeeds of an employee acting within the course and scope of their employment. That would include both Murdoch and Scott, as well as Hannity, Carlson and the other on-air employees who broadcast the defamatory statements. So even if Murdoch blames Suzanne Scott, the verdict will come out of Fox' corporate wallet anyhow.

[gab13by13]

3. Yup, Murdoch cooked his own goose,

Hopefully Fox is liable for damages, also, it may open the door for others to sue Fox.

The big enchilada would be Fox having to apologize on air for like a month. I never watch Fox but I would turn it on to listen to Bow tie boy and Hannity apologize.

[Trenzalore]

2. I'm surprised he hasn't settled

T

[Samrob]

4. There really is not defense for FOX's repeated spewing of lies and continuing to employ liars. nt