A North Carolina judge on May 30 upheld his choice to throw out a defamation lawsuit connected to the heated discussion about suggested casinos in Rockingham County. He denied claims of judicial bias and sent the plaintiff’s legal team to the state bar to face potential disciplinary measures.
Judge Tessener Says No Bias in Rockingham Lawsuit, Upholds Dismissal of Defamation Claims
Judge Hoyt Tessener of the Special Superior Court turned down a request to remove himself from the case. He said claims that he was biased had no basis and came up after he had made his decision, reported the Raleigh News & Observer. Craig Travis, who used to be a Rockingham County Commissioner, filed the lawsuit. He accused a group of political figures and organizations of damaging his reputation during the 2023 Republican primary. In that campaign, Travis’s strong stand against building a casino played a key part…