PORTLAND, Maine - A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by Pan Am Railways and its former president against a small Maine-based industry newsletter.
The lawsuit filed in 2011 in U.S. District Court in Portland against Chalmers "Chop'' Hardenbergh and his Atlantic Northeast Rails & Ports newsletter alleged that Pan Am and former president, David Andrew Fink, were defamed in articles published in the email newsletter.
Hardenbergh countered that that the criticisms the railroad took issue with were made by other people and quoted. They also represented opinions, not facts that could be shown to be false.
The suit was dismissed Tuesday.
Hardenbergh told the Portland Press Herald he always felt the law was on his side.
Pan Am did not respond to the newspaper's request for comment.