Newsmax just made a 'bizarre' new request in bid to thwart Dominion lawsuit

Far-right cable network Newsmax, still mired in a defamation suit by Dominion Voting Systems for pushing conspiracy theories about their equipment in the 2020 presidential election, has now resorted to an odd play to try to defeat the case, reported The Daily Beast: demanding information from a Greek Orthodox priest honored by President Joe Biden in 2022.

According to Daily Beast reporter Justin Baragona, whose report describes Newsmax's machinations as "bizarre," the network "recently subpoenaed Alexander Karloutsos, popularly known as 'Father Alex,' to testify and provide evidence in a deposition" — prompting the priest's attorney to complain to the court that the subpoena is way overbroad in requesting all of his communications, and constitutes harassment.

The subpoena specifically demands that Karloutsos produce any communications “concerning Dominion or allegations of misconduct in connection with voting machines used in the 2020 Presidential Election.” Karloutsos' lawyer says they have no idea why Newsmax thinks he has this information, and that it appears to be a Hail Mary.

“It is clear from the information sought in the Subpoena that Newsmax is improperly using the Subpoena for the purpose of seeking general discovery, or to ascertain the existence of evidence, rather than identifying specific documents that are relevant and material to the facts at issue in the lawsuit,” wrote the attorney. “The Subpoena is also overbroad and unduly burdensome that it seeks any communications between Father Alex and any person or entity that he may have ever mentioned Dominion to, even though Dominion and the Delaware Action, which were the subject of countless news reports and media attention.”

Newsmax was one of multiple right-wing networks that claimed Dominion had rigged voting machines for Biden. No court challenge or audit has turned up any evidence of this.

Dominion already filed a similar lawsuit against Fox News, which was ultimately settled for just under $800 million. Another voting equipment company, Smartmatic, still has a $2.7 billion lawsuit ongoing against that network.