Thomas Rejects Roy Moore Bid to Preserve $8.2 Million Defamation Award
Updated
Updated · ms.now · Jun 29
Thomas Rejects Roy Moore Bid to Preserve $8.2 Million Defamation Award
3 articles · Updated · ms.now · Jun 29
Summary
Clarence Thomas denied Roy Moore’s emergency request to freeze an appeals ruling that wiped out his $8.2 million defamation verdict over a Senate Majority PAC campaign ad.
The 11th Circuit had already refused to pause its decision, and Thomas’ solo denial—issued without explanation, as is typical—signals he did not view the request as a close call.
Moore argued that without a stay his ability to collect later could be impaired if the Supreme Court eventually revives his case; the PAC countered that its finances are strong and any such risk is speculative.
The underlying petition can still reach the full court, but Moore faces long odds because four justices must agree to hear it and efforts by Thomas and Neil Gorsuch to revisit the New York Times v. Sullivan standard have gained little traction.