Lobbyist Drops NYT Suit Over Alleged Affair With McCain

By: Adam Hutton
Topics: Congress

(AP Photo/Stephen J Boitano)

The lobbyist who filed a lawsuit against The New York Times over a story which allegedly implied she had a romantic affair with Sen. John McCain, has withdrawn her $27 million defamation suit, according to the Associated Press.

Both sides announced an out-of-court settlement, reports CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric.

In a statement, Vicki Iseman said The Times admitted the article, "was not intended to convey that I had engaged in inappropriate behavior."

The Times says it did not apologize to Iseman, but she told CBS News that's not so, Couric reports.

According to the U.S. District Court, attorneys for Iseman filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of the December legal action, presumably after the settlement was reached.

The story in question appeared in the paper almost exactly a year ago, when McCain was out on the campaign trail. The piece, written by four veteran Times' reporters, was about McCain's first campaign for President in 2000 and the chummy appearance the candidate displayed with the lobbyist.

The story clearly stated that the Senator and Iseman both denied having a romantic relationship – but also suggests that key players within McCain's campaign were concerned about how close their candidate had become with the lobbyist.

4572570The Times' reported that "to his advisers, even the appearance of a close bond with a lobbyist whose clients often had business before the Senate committee Mr. McCain led threatened the story of redemption and rectitude that defined his political identity."

The Times' executive editor, Bill Keller, said Thursday in a statement that the Times stood by its story, which he said did not allege an affair or unethical behavior on Iseman's part.

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by baigge February 22, 2009 12:39 AM EST: The New York Times owes John McCain and his family an apology for the unnecessary and defamatory article.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 February 20, 2009 12:47 PM EST: Out-o-court settlement???

I guess Miss Vicki will be able to purchase some Sarah Palin shoes courtesy of the New York Times!; Reply to this comment


by eastsideyo February 20, 2009 12:45 PM EST: once one...always one

she's a ______; Reply to this comment


by neonutty February 20, 2009 12:02 PM EST: I'd do'er; Reply to this comment


by andie52 February 20, 2009 11:57 AM EST: Out of court settlement doesn%u2019t mean it never happened it just makes it go away faster.; Reply to this comment


by antoniof123 February 20, 2009 11:28 AM EST: The article says that there was an "out of court settlement". So the NYT must have paid something. But, as I indicated, that is no indication of guilt.

Posted by sabre1111 at 11:19 PM : Feb 19, 2009

Or another possiblility they said they would not air or display the photos they have.; Reply to this comment


by chitownfire1 February 20, 2009 2:46 AM EST: i saw her with McCain and she was kissing him but she kissed alot of men.she was a little sleazy.

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Posted by wilsoncock

Maybe she was kissing McCain like a woman would kiss her elderly grandfather.....; Reply to this comment


by sabre1111 February 20, 2009 2:19 AM EST: Posted by sabre1111 at 10:15 PM : Feb 19, 2009,,,,,read the post,,,she dropped the lawsuit she filed, in a sense she is saying the story is true but denying it.

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Posted by tincup356

The article says that there was an "out of court settlement". So the NYT must have paid something. But, as I indicated, that is no indication of guilt.; Reply to this comment


by tincup356 February 20, 2009 1:39 AM EST: Did you just fall off the turnip truck? It was cheaper for the NYT to pay than to continue with a money-draining trial. Its done all the time.

Posted by sabre1111 at 10:15 PM : Feb 19, 2009,,,,,read the post,,,she dropped the lawsuit she filed, in a sense she is saying the story is true but denying it.; Reply to this comment


by exusmcsgt February 20, 2009 1:36 AM EST: She's pretty hot.

Posted by pizzanick

Think so?

She looks like a mannequin from here....; Reply to this comment