PUBLIC STATEMENT OF THE GOOSMANN LAW FIRM
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case of Bertrand v. Mullin and the Iowa Democratic Party. The Iowa Supreme Court overturned a 2012 jury verdict awarding Rick Bertrand $231,000 for ads the jury found to be defamatory, which were published by Mullin and the Iowa Democratic Party in the 2010 Iowa Senate race. “We are disappointed the U.S. Supreme Court did not take the case,” stated Jeana Goosmann of Goosmann Law Firm, who represented Rick Bertrand. “This case had the potential to blaze the trail for truth in political campaigns across the nation.”
Bertrand said: “This case would have provided the opportunity to eliminate false ads that swamp our TVs and radios during election season.” Bertrand looks forward, however, “I will continue to stand up for Iowans. I took this case to the highest level I could for my constituents, and I will continue to fight for their interests in Des Moines.”
The U.S. Supreme Court is known for taking up only a small percentage of cases filed before it. Although the number varies, it usually hovers around 1%.