Former ENERKON Solar International Chairman Benjamin Ballout has initiated a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Radio Free Europe (RFE) and journalist Todd Prince in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal action centers on a series of articles published between May and December 2021, which Ballout claims contained false and misleading statements about him and his company.
The lawsuit alleges that RFE and Prince's publications intentionally spread misinformation, resulting in substantial financial consequences. These include an SEC trading halt on ENERKON stock that negatively impacted thousands of shareholders and investors. Ballout contends the articles caused millions of dollars in investor losses and significant reputational damage.
Key allegations in the lawsuit suggest potential violations of congressional appropriations laws by using U.S. federal funds to target an American citizen and company. Ballout asserts that RFE and Prince acted with malice, falsely portraying ENERKON's press releases and business dealings as fraudulent.
The legal filing goes beyond standard defamation claims, hinting at potential national security implications by suggesting foreign collusion with Russian intelligence and opposition figures in Ukraine. By seeking criminal referrals to the U.S. Department of Justice, Ballout aims to challenge what he characterizes as government-funded misinformation campaigns.
This lawsuit represents a significant legal challenge to media reporting practices, potentially establishing precedents for corporate protection against allegedly harmful journalistic narratives. The case underscores the complex intersection of media responsibility, corporate reputation, and potential governmental influence in reporting.
