Port Arthur Independent School District v. Klein [1] SummaryThreat Type: LawsuitDate: 05/03/2001Status: ConcludedDisposition: Dismissed (total)Location: Texas Verdict or Settlement Amount: N/ALegal Claims: Defamation In 2001, the Port Arthur Independent School District sued Philip Klein and his company Klein & Associates Political Relations for defamation after Klein published a post on the South East Texas Political Review blog stating that a "huge fight" had... read full description PartiesParty Receiving Legal Threat: Klein & Associates Political Relations; Phillip R. KleinType of Party: GovernmentType of Party: IndividualOrganizationLocation of Party: TexasLocation of Party: TexasLegal Counsel: Christopher B. GilbertLegal Counsel: J. Keith Stanley Description In 2001, the Port Arthur Independent School District sued Philip Klein and his company Klein & Associates Political Relations for defamation after Klein published a post on the South East Texas Political Review [2] blog stating that a "huge fight" had occurred at a prom sponsored by a high school within the district. The Texas trial court granted summary judgment to Klein and dismissed the case, holding that the First Amendment barred a defamation suit by a government unit. The Court of Appeals of Texas affirmed, holding that a government unit may not sue for defamation. See Port Arthur Ind. School Dist. v. Klein & Associates Political Relations, 70 S.W.3d 349 (Tex. Ct. App. 2002). Related Links: MLRC: Lawsuits Against Bloggers [3] DetailsWeb Site(s) Involved: South East Texas Political Review [2] Content Type: TextPublication Medium: BlogSubject Area: Defamation Court Information & DocumentsJurisdiction: TexasSource of Law: TexasCourt Name: 172nd District Court, Texas; Court of Appeals of Texas, BeaumontCourt Type: StateCase Number: E-163290-A (trial); No. 09-01-239 CV (appeal) CMLP Information (Private)Threat Source: MLRC