GOP Sues 11 TV Stations to Block Democrats' Hope Florida Ad, Threatens Criminal Charges

The Republican Party of Florida has sued the owners of 11 television stations to block a Democratic campaign ad about the Hope Florida scandal, threatening broadcasters with criminal prosecution if they air material from a leaked grand jury report. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Highlands County, names the Florida Democratic Party, three statewide Democratic candidates and station owners in the Orlando and Tampa Bay markets, including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates. Republicans argue that an Oct. 7 court ruling ordering the grand jury report removed from court records makes broadcasting its . . .