Beef Products Inc. has filed a $1.2B defamation suit against ABC News, accusing the Walt Disney unit of publishing scores of allegedly false and disparaging claims about its product, dubbed “pink slime” in a media uproar earlier this year.
Photo: BPI |
The meat processor, which hired Ketchum in March and is now working with Edelman on the legal offensive, sued ABC in state court in South Dakota saying its news coverage amounted to a “monthlong vicious, concerted disinformation campaign” that led consumers to believe its lean beef product was not, in fact, beef.
BPI’s suit names ABC News, three reporters, including anchor Diane Sawyer, and other parties for knowingly and intentionally publishing “false and disparaging statements” that had a “significant adverse affect on BPI’s reputation, as well as a significant negative financial impact on the companies.”
ABC said the suit is without merit and will be contested.
Eldon Roth, founder and CEO of BPI, added: “The blatantly false and disparaging statements made about our lean beef have done more than hurt my family and our companies; they have jeopardized the future of our employees and their families.”
Edelman has been engaged by BPI's counsel as a consultant and declined comment.