Dominion Voting Systems, the company that supplied voting machines during the 2020 US Elections, has filed a lawsuit against two far-right networks and ex-Overstock chief Patrick Byrne for defamation.
The company stated that the two networks, Newsmax and One America News Network or OANN, and Byrne spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election involving its voting machines.
The networks and Byrne are known, far-right members. According to Dominion, Newsmax and OANN helped create an "alternate reality" that accused the voting machine company of engaging in fraudulent activities to steal the presidency from former US President Donald Trump.
Dominion is also suing OANN anchors Christina Bobb and Chanel Rion, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Dominion Sues Newsmax, OANN for Defamation
The voting machine company alleged that the networks manufactured, endorsed, and broadcasted a series of lies about its machines despite knowing the claims were false.
Newsmax and OANN also reported during the 2020 US Elections that the voting machines can be easily hacked, which caused panic among voters.
The networks were also accused of broadcasting and promoting interviews with far-right figures like Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell, and MyPillowCEO Mike Lindell, all of which were sued by Dominion.
The company alleged that Newsmax, which was sued in Delaware state court, created a whole new brand out of defaming them and specifically pointed out Greg Kelly's segment "Democracy or Dominion."
OANN also aired a similar election fraud documentary and began a programming line called "Dominion-ing the Vote."
The networks aired segments during the 2020 elections that not all votes are counted properly by the voting machines.
Meanwhile, Byrne, the former Overstock CEO, has become more known for spreading election conspiracy theories, according to NBC News.
Dominion alleged that he manufactured and promoted fake evidence to convince his base that last year's election had been stolen through the voting machines.
Byrne has promoted implausible conspiracy theorists such as Russell Ramsland, an audit leader from Arizona, and Doug Logan, who created lies about the voting machines.
The former Overstock chief is said to profit from Dominion's failure after investing millions in blockchain voting technology which can only take off if voters and elected officials refuse auditable paper-based voting systems.
How Much Does the Lawsuit Cost?
Dominion is seeking $1.6 billion in damages from Newsmax, OANN, and Byrne. This is more than the $1.3 billion that the company asked for from its lawsuit against Giuliani, Powell, and Lindell, according to Reuters.
In a statement, John Poulos, the CEO of Dominion, said that the networks and Byrne "recklessly disregarded the truth when they spread lies last year and continue to do so today."
Poulos added that they are filing three cases because the networks and the former Overstock chief show no remorse or sign of stopping the spread of disinformation about the company and its voting machines.
Newsmax responded to the lawsuit with a statement that says its coverage of the 2020 Presidential elections was fair and just.
The network reported on allegations made by trusted and well-known public figures. The network called the lawsuit an attempt to undermine the free press.
OANN has not released an official statement regarding the lawsuit yet.
The lawsuits that Dominion filed against the networks and Byrne are considered its fifth, sixth, and seventh one after conspiracy theories involving its voting machines got out of hand last year, resulting in people storming the voting sites and demanding recounts.
The voting machine company also filed a lawsuit against Fox News for $1.6 billion for defamation.
Related Article: Are Voting Machines Safe From Cyberattacks? Here's How They Work
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Written by Sophie Webster
