The Nation - News from March 9, 1989

The Christic Institute, whose lawsuit against several Iran-Contra figures was dismissed, posted a $1.2-million surety bond guaranteeing payment of defendants’ legal costs if the group loses its appeal. U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King in Miami dismissed the Washington-based public interest law firm’s $23.8-million lawsuit last June 23, four days before the trial was scheduled to begin. He ordered the group Feb. 2 to pay $1 million in legal fees and costs to 14 defendants. The $1.2-million surety bond covers the defendants’ previous legal costs and appeals costs and fees if the group loses its appeal of King’s ruling.