Yuma judge slaps down attorney fees on Finchem, Gosar after defamation lawsuit

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - A Yuma County judge has ordered three Republicans, including Secretary of State nominee Mark Finchem and u.s. Rep. Paul Gosar, to pay $75,000 in attorney fees for filing a defamation suit against former Democratic lawmaker Charlene Fernandez.

The Republicans filed the lawsuit last year against Fernandez after she called for an investigation of their roles in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Judge Levi Gunderson dismissed the lawsuit in April, saying Fernandez’s request was protected by the First Amendment’s rights to free speech and to petition the government.

Gunderson adding Monday that  the lawsuit “was brought for an improper purpose, having been filed against a political opponent primarily for purposes of harassment."