Image by getty images

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Nevada’s Supreme Court dismissed a bid by Sheldon Adelson to sue Jewish Democrats who hyperlinked to an article alleging the casino magnate allowed prostitutes to work his casino in Macau.

The hyperlink, in a National Jewish Democratic Council online petition during the 2012 presidential election, was to an Associated Press article covering a lawsuit by a former employee of Adelson who alleged that he was terminated for, among other reasons, refusing to allow prostitutes to ply their trade at the casino.

Also named in the suit were the NJDC chairman at the time, Marc Stanley, and its president, David Harris. The petition called on then-Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to renounce Adelson’s support.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

In its decision Wednesday, the court agreed with other rulings dismissing the case, saying the hyperlink functioned as a footnote, correctly attributing the report to a reported source and absolving the NJDC of making the claim without evidence.

“The fair report privilege immunizes the petition drafters from civil liability,” the court said.

The Nevada Supreme Court was the third judicial venue where Adelson sought redress for the NJDC petition. A spokesman for Adelson declined to comment on the decision.

Adelson vehemently denied the allegations by his former employee, Steven Jacobs, who was CEO of the Macau casino in 2009-10. However, he settled with Jacobs last year, with his company reportedly paying the ex-staffer $75 million.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount