Lauren Boebert Lawsuit Update

The American Muckrakers PAC, a watchdog organization focused on "holding elected officials accountable," announced on Wednesday that it reached a settlement in its defamation lawsuit against Colorado Republican Representative Lauren Boebert.

PAC President David Wheeler accused Boebert of making maliciously false statements about the organization in 2022.

"The Honorable Kathryn A. Starnella, Magistrate Judge in Federal District Court in Denver, stated in her written opinion that Boebert defamed me five times," Wheeler said in a statement.

"In addition, Judge Starnella agreed with me that our donors should never have been threatened with being sued by Boebert. We were victorious in this case and I'm thankful to all our donors and supporters and their steadfast backing."

Newsweek reached out to the lawyer representing the American Muckrakers PAC via email for further information on the settlement.

Wheeler's PAC published a number of salacious articles about her during her reelection bid that she denied. She accused the PAC of "sloppy, reckless, and wildly irresponsible actions," threatening a lawsuit that was never filed.

However, Wheeler alleged that her statements threatening litigation caused his PAC financial harm because of a significant reduction in donations. He filed a lawsuit, seeking relief for alleged defamation, trade libel, tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with prospective advantage, civil conspiracy and abuse of process.

Boebert sought to have the lawsuit against her thrown out this month but was denied by Starnella, who recommended that some of the claims in the lawsuit should not move forward.

She concluded that Boebert's "threats to sue Plaintiffs' sponsors and donors are unprotected" by state law "because they were neither made in good faith nor in serious contemplation of litigation."

Newsweek reached out to Boebert's press office via email for comment.

Additionally, American Muckrakers is demanding that Boebert have her guns taken away pending an investigation they requested over allegations of illegal drug use. The PAC submitted a letter to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and other Colorado officials urging them to investigate Boebert.

The claims include allegations from sources that Boebert has used methamphetamine and marijuana. The letter also includes press reports that Boebert was allegedly cut off from alcohol service at a GOP event in December.

Boebert is one of the most pro-gun members of Congress. She previously owned a restaurant in Colorado named Shooters Grill, where the wait staff openly carried guns. In 2021, Boebert released a Christmas card featuring her four children posing with firearms.

Boebert on Tuesday secured a win in her primary for Colorado's 4th Congressional District. She previously represented the state's 3rd Congressional District but announced a plan to switch earlier this year.

The election was Boebert's first in Colorado's 4th Congressional District. She was first elected to represent the 3rd Congressional District in the rural, right-leaning eastern part of the state as well as some more competitive Denver suburbs.

Boebert received 43.5 percent of the vote in the primary, according to the Associated Press.