Ex-US Senate candidate Jeff Greene sues 2 Florida newspapers for libel after his election loss

Losing Fla. Senate candidate sues papers for libel

MIAMI — Failed Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene is suing two Florida newspapers for libel over articles Greene claims cost him votes.

The billionaire ex-candidate is seeking $500 million in damages from the St. Petersburg Times, The Miami Herald and reporters and editors. The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Miami.

Greene said the papers published knowingly false stories and an editorial implicating him in a California mortgage fraud case. Another story involving boxer Mike Tyson detailed allegations of illegal drug use aboard Greene’s yacht, which Greene also says is false.

Greene said the stories were instrumental in his loss in the Democratic Senate primary last week.

Times editor Neil Brown called Greene’s allegations preposterous and called his newspaper’s coverage fair, clear and well documented. Top editors at the Herald did not immediately respond.