Baltimore Sun Owner Threatens To Sue Gov. Wes Moore Over Epstein Remark
In June 2026, the owner of the Baltimore Sun threatened to sue Maryland Gov. Wes Moore over a public remark linking Sinclair executive David Smith to financier Jeffrey Epstein.[1]
Attorney Harold Walter's demand letter asked Moore to issue a clear public retraction and correction, or to identify the factual basis for his statement and to preserve documents about any alleged Epstein link.[1] Moore's lawyer, Joseph Sandler, replied on or before Tuesday, July 14, saying Epstein-founded entities held Sinclair investments totaling more than $250,000 while Smith was chairman and CEO and that the governor's statement was true.[1]
In June 2026, Walter sent the demand letter warning of a defamation suit if Moore did not retract or substantiate the comment about Smith.[1] The exchange was first reported by Semafor and was further detailed in Fox News' July 16 coverage.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- In June 2026, attorney Harold Walter sent Gov. Wes Moore a demand letter threatening a defamation suit over Moore's Epstein-related comment about David Smith.
- Walter asked Moore to issue a clear public retraction and correction or identify the factual basis for his statement and to preserve documents about any alleged Epstein link.
- On or before Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Moore's attorney Joseph Sandler replied that Epstein-founded entities held Sinclair investments exceeding $250,000 while Smith was chairman and CEO and said the governor's statement was true.
- The threatened lawsuit and response were first reported by Semafor and further detailed in Fox News' July 16, 2026 coverage.
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