complaint this week alleges that Fox News and two contributors intentionally exploited the murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich during the 2016 election season.  Rich was murdered in Washington in what authorities believed was a botched robbery; the complaint alleges that Fox News reported a false story that Rich had been murdered after leaking thousands of DNC emails to Wikileaks.  According to the complaint, Fox News induced Rich’s parents to hire a private investigator to help “solve” the murder without informing them that the information would be used in a “sham story” that would be repeatedly covered in the lead-up to the 2016 election.  Fox News retracted the story in May 2017.

The complaint includes claims for intentional inflection of emotion distress,  aiding and abetting, conspiracy, tortious interference with contract, and negligent supervision.

The case is currently pending before Judge Daniels.