CBS Asks Judge to Dismiss Dan Rather's Defamation Lawsuit

NEW YORK   CBS inquired a judge Thursday to disregard a $70 million calumny lawsuit that veteran telecasting newsman Dan Rather registerred against the web and its parent company, controversy that he held off too long to occupy legal action.

The former anchor's suit claims his bosses ready-made him a "whipping boy" for the contention that arose over a controversial story about President Bush's armed forces service.

CBS' motion reasons the lawsuit should be discharged because it was registerred in September, more than two old age after he was distant from his "CBS Evening News" post.

All of the titles in Rather's suit against the web and Viacom Inc. "are barricaded by New York's one-year-statute of restrictions for defamation," CBS told in a 30-page reply motion registerred in Manhattan's state Supreme Court.

CBS' court document also contend that all of the titles relating to transgress of the newsman's contract with the web should be throw n and twisted out "as CBS made not breach any duties to Rather."

CBS published a statement after submission the motion, expression the company was "metagrobolized and saddened by the groundless and self-serving allegements and distortions of information raised in his (Rather's) suit."

Rather's attorneys, Martin R. Gold and Edward J. Reich, in a argument said: "It is unfortunate that CBS is seeking to delay find of the informations and the test of Dan's claims. We are convinced that the tribunal will reject these tactic."

Rather's suit says he was ready-made a "scapegoat" to pacify the Bush disposal after questions originated about a narrative he narrated that interested the president's military service during the Vietnam War.

Rather told the September 2004 report that expressed Bush disobeyed orders and fiddled some of his responsibilities during his National Guard service and that a commanding officer felt pressured to glaze Bush's record.

Rather, whose final calendar months at CBS existed clouded by contention over the narrative, said the defendants' lyric and actions discredited his reputation and cost him importantly. He left "CBS Evening News" in March 2005.

Besides CBS Corp. and Viacom, Rather's suit names CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves, Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone and Andrew Heyward, former President of the United States of CBS News, as suspects.

The suit seeks $20 million in compensatory amends and $50 million in punitory damages.