Federal judge dismisses Kash Patel’s defamation suit against Frank Figliuzzi

Why did the judge dismiss the case?

Judge George Hanks Jr. said Figliuzzi’s nightclub remark was “rhetorical hyperbole,” meaning it was not reasonably understood as a literal statement of fact and therefore could not support a defamation claim Hill,Anadolu Ajansı,TheWrap.

What comment triggered the lawsuit?

Patel sued over Figliuzzi’s on-air statement that Patel had been “visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building,” referring to FBI headquarters in Washington Aol,NBC News,UPI.

Did the ruling address attorney’s fees?

Yes. Multiple reports say the judge dismissed the suit but did not award Figliuzzi attorney’s fees under Texas’ anti-SLAPP law TMZ,Newser.