Maryland Official Files $21 Million Libel Suit Against Blogger

Baltimore Councilwoman Belinda Conaway is suing a political blogger and his publisher for $21 million for libel and defamation over a column that alleged she did not live in the city.

The suit alleges an Examiner.com column by Adam Meister is meant to fool the public into thinking that Conaway lives in Baltimore County and force her out of office.

On election documents, Conaway lists a Baltimore City address used by several members of her politically active family.

Conaway’s attorney, Thomas Maronick, said that the Randallstown home in Baltimore County is listed on tax records as a primary residence since Conaway and her husband file jointly and he lives there part-time. He said Conaway is seeking to correct the records.

Conaway said this could happen to anybody.

Meister said he backed up his allegations with documents and is honored to be sued over the matter.

Justin Jimenez, a spokesman for Denver-based Examiner.com, said the company has no comment and hasn’t been notified of the lawsuit.