William Rembis is not happy with Fox News. The cable news network published an Associated Press article about him on their website in September, under the heading “Sex Crimes.” The problem is, the story had nothing to do with sex crimes, and now Rembis is suing Fox for libel to the tune of “over $10,000,000.”
The subject of the story was how Rembis and his wife had been investigated by child welfare services in New Jersey, Michigan, and Texas. The article says they were accused of neglect, but had not been charged with any criminal offenses. Nothing in the article mentioned anything related to sex crimes, but a picture of Rembis and his wife Claire was placed under the heading “sex crimes”.
Rembis told LawNewz.com that he first noticed the article and its heading after searching for himself on Google. He was dismayed by seeing his picture so close to the words “Sex Crimes,” as well as online comments saying that he was, or looked like, a pedophile. “I find it highly objectionable and I have every right to sue,” Rembis said.
After seeing this, Rembis spoke with Fox News and pointed out their error, as well as an inaccuracy in the story itself (the article said that all 11 of Rembis’ children had been taken into state custody, but only 10 of the 11 had actually been taken). Fox News later added an editor’s note to the bottom of the article clarifying the inaccuracy, and pointing out the erroneous “Sex Crimes” heading, which they removed. “Fox News did not intend to communicate that any of the couple’s children were taken into state custody because of crimes that are sexual in nature,” the note said.
Rembis wasn’t aware of the editor’s note when he spoke to Fox News, but it didn’t alleviate his concerns. “I don’t care if they’re changing it now, it’s a little too late for that,” he said. “In the meantime that story has been up for weeks and people were thinking I’m a pedophile.”
Fox News told LawNewz.com that they “don’t comment on pending litigation.”
