Mark Andrews v. Dinesh D’Souza et al.

November 3, 2022
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Protect Democracy and its partners filed suit against the makers and promoters of the election lie-hyping film 2000 Mules and its accompanying book on behalf of a private citizen in Georgia who was falsely accused of breaking the law in the movie, book, and related promotional efforts. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants engaged in both defamation and voter intimidation.

Without evidence, Dinesh D’Souza and True the Vote’s Catherine Engelbrecht and Gregg Phillips (along with D’Souza Media, True the Vote, Salem Media, Regnery Publishing, and others) manufactured a reputation-injuring lie about our client Mark Andrews, who legally placed his own ballot and those of his family into a ballot dropbox ahead of the 2020 election. Their lies portrayed Andrews, recorded on surveillance footage depositing the ballots, as a so-called “ballot mule” working to illegally cast votes in an effort to steal the election away from then-President Donald Trump.

In addition to the defendants featuring Mr. Andrews’ image and lies about Mr. Andrews in their so-called documentary and book that falsely claim fraud in the 2020 presidential election (and in advertisements), defendants repeated these lies many times over in media appearances and posts on social media. These lies are textbook defamation, false light, and appropriation of likeness. They also violate the Klan Act, passed by Congress in the wake of Reconstruction to prohibit the kind of intimidation that Defendants are now engaged in.

This suit seeks to impose consequences on those who profit from election lies that harm private individuals and our democracy writ large.

Law for Truth, a project of Protect Democracy, represents Mr. Andrews in partnership with the law firm DuBose Miller LLC and other pro bono counsel.

On May 31, 2024, Salem Media Group issued a release (image below), stating in part “It was never our intent that the publication of the 2000 Mules film and book would harm Mr. Andrews. We apologize for the hurt the inclusion of Mr. Andrews’ image in the movie, book, and promotional materials have caused Mr. Andrews and his family. We have removed the film from Salem’s platforms, and there will be no future distribution of the film or the book by Salem.

Image taken from Salem Media Group press release issued on May 31, 2024

Featured Press

Publisher of ‘2,000 Mules’ election conspiracy theory film issues apology

May 31, 2024

‘2000 Mules,’ a key piece of election misinformation, has its day in court

Oct. 3, 2023

Publisher of ‘2000 Mules’ apologizes to Georgia man falsely accused of ballot fraud in the film Associated Press, May 31, 2024 Publisher of ‘2000 Mules’ apologizes to Georgia man falsely accused of ballot fraud in the film

Judge shoots down attempt to dismiss ‘2000 Mules’ defamation lawsuit The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct. 3, 2023 Judge shoots down attempt to dismiss ‘2000 Mules’ defamation lawsuit

Recent Updates

Publisher of ‘2,000 Mules’ election conspiracy theory film issues apology

May 31, 2024

Judge Rules Against the Makers of Election-Lie-Hyping Film ‘2,000 Mules’ — Allows Case to Proceed to Discovery

Oct. 2, 2023

Related Resources

The Actual Malice Standard, Explained The Actual Malice Standard, Explained

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Case Documents

Order Denying Motion to Dismiss Sept. 30, 2023 Order Denying Motion to Dismiss

Plaintiff's Response to True The Vote Defendants’ Supplemental Brief on First Amendment Issues Aug. 22, 2023 Plaintiff's Response to True The Vote Defendants’ Supplemental Brief on First Amendment Issues

Plaintiff's Motion for Supplemental Pleading & Supplemental Pleading August 7, 2023 Plaintiff's Motion for Supplemental Pleading & Supplemental Pleading

Plaintiff's Response to Supplemental Authority, Counterman v. Colorado July 11, 2023 Plaintiff's Response to Supplemental Authority, Counterman v. Colorado

Brief of Amicus Curiae Campaign Legal Center in Support of Plaintiff's Brief in Opposition to Defendants' Motions to Dismiss, and supporting exhibits June 5, 2023 Brief of Amicus Curiae Campaign Legal Center in Support of Plaintiff's Brief in Opposition to Defendants' Motions to Dismiss, and supporting exhibits

Opposition to True the Vote, Catherine Engelbrecht, and Gregg Phillips' Motion to Dismiss March 24, 2023 Opposition to True the Vote, Catherine Engelbrecht, and Gregg Phillips' Motion to Dismiss

Opposition to Defedants' Motion for a More Definitive Statement March 24, 2023 Opposition to Defedants' Motion for a More Definitive Statement

Opposition to Salem Media Group and Regenery Publishing Group's Motion to Dismiss and Dinesh D'Souza and D'Souza Media LLC's Motion to Dismiss March 24, 2023 Opposition to Salem Media Group and Regenery Publishing Group's Motion to Dismiss and Dinesh D'Souza and D'Souza Media LLC's Motion to Dismiss

Amended Complaint Dec. 1, 2022 Amended Complaint

Complaint Oct. 26, 2022 Complaint