Attorneys: Neb. hog farm case say settled
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Two Hayes County farmers and their attorney have settled lawsuits after they were sued for defamation for criticizing a proposed hog farm.
Attorneys for the farmers say their clients will be paid an undisclosed sum by Furnas County Farms and its insurers.
The case began in 2001 when Furnas tried to build a farm to hold 44,000 hogs. Farmers Char Hamilton and Duane Fortkamp and their lawyer filed written comments with state regulators, criticizing Furnas' environmental record.
The producers sued, alleging defamation. The trio countersued, and a jury found the producers' lawsuit was an attempt at intimidation. Furnas was ordered to pay the farmers and their attorney $900,000, but the Nebraska Court of Appeals overturned the reward.
Attorneys for the farmers say their clients will be paid an undisclosed sum by Furnas County Farms and its insurers.
The case began in 2001 when Furnas tried to build a farm to hold 44,000 hogs. Farmers Char Hamilton and Duane Fortkamp and their lawyer filed written comments with state regulators, criticizing Furnas' environmental record.
The producers sued, alleging defamation. The trio countersued, and a jury found the producers' lawsuit was an attempt at intimidation. Furnas was ordered to pay the farmers and their attorney $900,000, but the Nebraska Court of Appeals overturned the reward.
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