After suing his campaign opponent for defamation, U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa, who was named House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman in 2011 and is a nine-term Republican congressman, was ordered to pay more than $45,000 in legal fees.  The San Diego-area Republican filed a lawsuit in November alleging Democrat Doug Applegate’s television ads hurt his image.  Applegate’s commercials aired in San Diego and Orange counties prior to last year’s election.  Issa had argued that a line in the ad would inaccurately cause viewers to conclude he had used his official position to enrich himself. “It basically implied that it was the speech of the newspapers, not that of the (Applegate) campaign's design. And that's where the statements were false and not privileged," Issa’s attorney Chuck Bell said.

Doug Applegate, Image Courtesy of Applegate For Congress

“While high profile in nature, since the parties were a sitting United State (sic) Congressman and his congressional opponent, the legal issues were not particularly novel or complex. In addition, a number of tasks billed appear unnecessary or exceptionally high for the work performed,” Strauss wrote in his decision.Bell said he disagrees with some of the decisions and that his client will appeal the decision.  He felt the judge took an “overly broad” view of the Applegate’s ad comments. A scrolling statement on Issa’s website states “Seen the false and misleading ads? Get the facts.”Applegate will run against Issa again in 2018, along with attorney Mike Levin and businessman Paul Kerr – all Democrats. Issa was re-elected last year after defeating Applegate by only 1,621 votes. The result marked the closest congressional race in the country.

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Court orders Darrell Issa to pay Doug Applegate, his campaign, $45,000Issa Told to Pay Challenger for Legal Expenses in Lawsuit