The jury in a federal defamation trial brought by Drummond Inc. found in favor of the Birmingham-based company, ruling that the attorney who accused them of misdeeds in Colombia knew his claims were false.
Attorney Terrence P. Collingsworth and his organization, International Rights Advocates, had accused the coal company of working with illegal paramilitary groups in Colombia.
“The jury concluded Collingsworth and IRAdvocates made false and defamatory accusations that Drummond supported paramilitary groups in Colombia,” Drummond said in announcing the verdict…