Michigan Messenger fighting defamation lawsuit

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Messenger is fighting a defamation suit filed by a Republican official over a story about Election Day voter challenges.

The Web site quoted Macomb County GOP Chairman James Carabelli in a Sept. 10 article as saying that Republicans "will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses."

Carabelli says in a lawsuit filed last week in Macomb County Circuit Court that he never made the comment. He's asking for monetary damages and attorney fees.

Michigan Messenger editorial director Jefferson Morley said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters that the article was accurate. He says the story was not fabricated.