Condit Sues Tabloids Over Intern Stories

Former Rep. Gary Condit sued The National Enquirer and other tabloids for $209 million on Friday, alleging they falsely connected him with the 2001 slaying of federal intern Chandra Levy.

The Ceres, Calif., Democrat alleges that the Enquirer, Globe and Star Magazine tabloids, along with parent company American Media Inc., maliciously published defamatory statements that Condit “was involved in deviant and perverted sexual conduct, which directly or indirectly led to the kidnapping and/or murder of Ms. Levy,” according to the suit filed in Palm Beach County circuit court.

AMI General Counsel Michael Kahane said in a statement that the Boca Raton-based firm “will vigorously defend any suit filed by Mr. Condit” and that he expects it to be dismissed.

Condit’s suit details 45 pages of headlines he alleges were false and defamatory, such as “Congressman & the intern. Chandra killed in kinky sex game!”

Condit is asking for $19 million in actual damages, plus $190 million in punitive damages.

During the yearlong investigation into Levy’s disappearance, Condit told police he had a romance with Levy but knew nothing of her disappearance. He is not considered a suspect in her unsolved death, which was ruled a homicide after her remains were found in a Washington, D.C., park in May 2002.

The case drew months of negative publicity and was cited as the main cause of Condit’s reelection defeat in the March 2002 primary.

His wife, Carolyn, settled a lawsuit with the Enquirer for an undisclosed amount in July.