Mandela Barnes Sues Journal Sentinel Over Defamatory Sex Life Reporting
Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes sues the Journal Sentinel, alleging a reporter involved in his private life published defamatory claims.
POLICY WIRE — Milwaukee, U.S. — Mandela Barnes, the former Wisconsin lieutenant governor and current gubernatorial contender, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He claims the newspaper printed a defamatory account of his consensual sexual life during a critical period of the Democratic primary for governor.
The legal filing alleges that this reporting inflicted severe damage on Barnes’ personal reputation at a pivotal moment in his political campaign.
A central allegation in the complaint involves a female reporter from the newspaper with whom Barnes had previously shared a sexual relationship. He asserts she was involved in the original reporting for two specific stories that went to print on July 30.
Barnes stated that he notified the publication of this past relationship, flagging a clear conflict of interest prior to the articles being released to the public.
The lawsuit further contends that the Journal Sentinel failed to disclose the reporter’s history with him. Additionally, Barnes claims the paper covered a party investigation that he says never actually occurred.
The complaint describes the lawsuit as an explosive legal challenge regarding the integrity of the news coverage and the transparency of the outlet’s journalistic process.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)