OMAHA, Neb. (Washington Insider Magazine) – Former President Trump’s Republican governor’s race contender in Nebraska filed a libel suit Friday against a GOP state legislator who alleged him of grabbing her at a local political gathering in 2019.
According to ABC NEWS, Charles W. Herbster’s team claims in the complaint that senator Julie Slama wrongfully accused him and harmed his image in an attempt to undermine his candidacy before the state GOP’s fiercely fought primary election on May 10.
Herbster was the subject of a politically driven and baseless assault by a political rival who used false and defamatory allegations to accuse him of immoral behavior, according to the lawsuit filed in state district court.
Herbster is up against senator Brett Lindstrom and University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, among others, in a tight contest. Pillen received the support of important party figures such as Slama and multi – millionaire Governor Pete Ricketts, who has blasted Herbster as unsuitable for the post and admitted to spending funds on dark-money commercials against him.
Herbster, a wealthy businessman and strong Trump supporter, allegedly groped Slama when she was 22 years old at the Douglas County Republican Party’s annual Elephant Remembers dinner in Omaha. The allegations were initially reported by the Nebraska Examiner, an online, independent news organization, along with identical allegations made by 7 additional women. Neither of those have been recognised publicly, and The Associated Press has been unable to verify their claims.
Slama has publicly confirmed her charges against Herbster, and she referred to the event in a floor address in February, but she did not identify Herbster. She subsequently acknowledged the event was reported by the Nebraska Examiner, claiming she didn’t want the spotlight but wouldn’t lie about it.
Late Friday, Slama did not respond to a message requesting comment on the case.
Slama has not officially been served with the suit, according to her attorney, Dave Lopez. Herbster’s lawsuit, according to Lopez, will subject him to the full sweep of civil inquiry, which will require him to respond to questions about his actions under oath.
Herbster claims in his complaint that the allegations are without merit and have harmed his image.
Unspecified damages are sought in the complaint.
Herbster is largely seen as a leading candidate for governor, and he has boasted about Trump’s support, which is still strong in Republican-dominated Nebraska. The allegations against him came during a trip to Nebraska by Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., to support Herbster. The ex president will also be in the state on Friday for a ceremony with Herbster.
