Former White House lawyer Stefan Passantino sued Andrew Weissmann, former deputy to Robert Mueller, on Friday for libel, a copy of the legal complaint shows.
Passantino claimed that Weissmann intended to defame him in a September tweet when he allegedly referred to the lawyer as \u201cthe one who coached [Cassidy Hutchinson] to lie,\u201d according to the court document. The complaint alleges that Weissmann \u201cchose to smear\u201d Passantino to advance his \u201ccareer as a partisan political pundit.\u201d
\u201cAs with all my clients during my 30 years of practice, I represented Ms. Hutchinson honorably, ethically, and fully consistent with her sole interests as she communicated them to me (and others) while I represented her,\u201d Passantino told the Daily Caller News Foundation. \u201cAs Ms. Hutchinson herself testified, I never counseled her to lie. I have never counseled a client to mislead anyone.\u201d
The former Trump lawyer represented Hutchinson, a former White House aide, during the Jan. 6 Committee\u2019s investigation, the complaint says. Hutchinson made several statements during the hearing that were later brought into question.
\u201cAnyone who takes the time to read the transcripts in which I represent Ms. Hutchinson or to learn anything about me will know this one-sided caricature of me is false,\u201d Passantino told the DCNF. \u201cI have already initiated legal action arising from the January 6 Committee\u2019s unlawful and unethical conduct. This country has defamation laws for a reason, and I intend to avail myself of them \u2013 starting today.\u201d
\u201cDefendant attacked Mr. Passantino as a means of distracting from and rehabilitating the contradictory and uncredible aspects of Ms. Hutchinson\u2019s testimony, as they undermine the Select Committee and its partisan findings and purpose,\u201d the complaint alleges. \u201cDefendant\u2019s smear has deeply damaged Mr. Passantino\u2019s 30-year reputation and had caused him to lose significant business and income. Mr. Passantino seeks to hold Defendant accountable for this vicious lie and the damages it has wrought.\u201d
Passantino is seeking in excess of $75,000 in damages, according to the complaint.
Weissmann did not immediately respond to the DCNF\u2019s request for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n