Editor & Publisher is reporting that Marcel Matley, the documnet expert cited by CBS News to bolster claims of authenticity for the fraudulent Texas Air National Guard memo, is claiming professional defamation, and demanding corrections both from CBS News and from the "independent" report authors Thornburgh and Boccardi.

This is getting really interesting. Defamation is, of course, actionable.

In an e—mail to Thornburgh's office on Jan. 13, obtained by E&P, Matley criticized the report as containing "certain incorrect statements affecting me and which are derogatory and/or damaging to me professionally." He also asks that the panel issue corrections for each of the errors he contends are in the report and distribute the corrections.

"It is professional defamation," Matley, a 20—year document expert, told E&P, from his home in San Francisco. "When you are in a court of law, it can make the difference between being considered credible or not."

He said the report has already hurt his professional reputation, claiming it was mentioned last week during his appearance in a Modesto, Calif., courtroom on a probate case. "Someone brought it up that I was the one who made the mistake in the '60 Minutes' case," he said. "I've already had this thrown at me."

Matley told E&P he had yet to hear back from CBS or Thornburgh about the e—mail. "They have not acknowledged my existence," he declared. "They have not even replied."

Matley is claiming misrepresentation and damages there from. Looks to me as though he has already retained counsel. This could lead to a great trial, televised, of course.

The fat lady isn't even close to singing yet.

Hat tip: Rather Biased

Thomas Lifson   1 26 05