State District Judge Jose Longoria ruled this week that former Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce CEO Terry Carter’s lawsuit can continue but without two of his planned defamation expert witnesses. Carter filed a lawsuit in March 2008 against the chamber, former and current board members, the Caller-Times and others, saying they knowingly disseminated false statements about him and the chamber’s finances which caused him to lose his job.
All the defendants have denied Carter’s accusations and the chamber has counter sued Carter alleging a breach of contract. Attorney Jorge Rangel, who represents the Caller-Times and E.W. Scripps, said Monday that because the case involves first amendment rights the newspaper immediately can appeal on the summary judgment issue. Rangel said that will be the next step.