Overview

• U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel on Aug. 20 threw out Brian Musgrave’s case over remarks Mace made during a February House floor speech.
• The court accepted the Justice Department’s move to substitute the government as the defendant by certifying Mace and her staff acted within their official duties.
• Gergel also dismissed Musgrave’s constitutional damages claim and cited the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause as further protection for legislative activity.
• The ruling did not address the truth of Mace’s allegations, and Musgrave’s attorney said he will keep seeking ways to clear his client’s name.
• Mace hailed the outcome as a victory for the Constitution and has spotlighted the issue in public appearances while running for South Carolina governor.