The jury in a federal defamation trial brought by Drummond Inc. found in favor of the Birmingham-based company, ruling that the attorney who accused them of misdeeds in Colombia knew his claims were false.
Attorney Terrence P. Collingsworth and his organization, International Rights Advocates, had accused the coal company of working with illegal paramilitary groups in Colombia.
“The jury concluded Collingsworth and IRAdvocates made false and defamatory accusations that Drummond supported paramilitary groups in Colombia,” Drummond said in announcing the verdict.
“The jury further found Collingsworth and IRAdvocates violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) through extortion, witness bribery, witness tampering, wire fraud, money laundering, obstruction of justice and conspiracy. The jury determined there was clear and convincing evidence that Collingsworth either knew or recklessly disregarded that his accusations against Drummond were false when he made them.”
The jury awarded Drummond $52 million for the defamation claim and $68 million on the RICO claim, which is then tripled, for a total of $256 million.
“This verdict is further proof that Drummond has had no connection whatsoever with illegal organizations. The company has endured malicious accusations and narratives for decades, which a jury has now unanimously determined were categorically false,” according to Trey Wells, lead trial lawyer of the law firm Starnes Davis Florie LLP.
