Carter Page, the former adviser for President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, is suing the Democratic National Committee and those who helped pay for the salacious dossier that formed the basis for multiple surveillance warrants used to spy on Page and the campaign.
Fox News exclusively reported that the lawsuit was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois’ Eastern Division. The 23-page lawsuit names the DNC, law firm Perkins Coie and its partners, who paid Ex-British Intelligence officer Christopher Steele to dig up dirt on Trump. The “dirt” Steele found was nothing but rumors and innuendo. Steele himself said at least one of his sources was a “boaster” and an “egoist” who likely engaged “in some embellishment.”
The FBI used that dubious dossier, however, to obtain warrants to surveil Page and the Trump campaign. Even then, the FBI had to omit information in order to obtain the warrants. In early December, the Department of Justice Inspector General determined that the FBI violated numerous policies by omitting information and including repeated errors when obtaining the warrants against Page.
Page’s lawsuit states that the defendants “used false information, misrepresentations and other misconduct to direct the power of the international intelligence apparatus and the media industry against a private individual, Plaintiff Carter Page, to further their political agenda.”
Page had previously worked with the CIA and the FBI, which explained why he had contact with certain Russian officials. When the FBI filed its warrant applications against Page, it purposefully omitted that information even after it confirmed Page previously had been a source for the intelligence community.
“Defendants’ efforts mobilized the news media against Dr. Page, damaging his reputation, and effectively destroying his once-private life. The Defendants’ wrongful actions convinced many Americans that Dr. Page is a traitor to the United States, and as a result he has received—and continues to receive—multiple death threats. Dr. Page’s businesses have suffered greatly from the false, malicious information spread by Defendants. In short, Defendants’ actions have not only damaged Plaintiffs’ reputations and financial prospects, they have even caused Dr. Page to reasonably fear for his safety,” the lawsuit states.
Page told The Daily Wire in December that he received the most threats on the day that former FBI Director James Comey testified before the House Intelligence committee. Among other threats that day, Page received a voicemail from an unknown caller, who referred to something Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said during Comey’s testimony.
The lawsuit does not seek a specific amount in damages.
Page is represented by John Pierce of Pierce Bainbridge Beck Price & Hecht LLP, who is also representing Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) in her lawsuit against Hillary Clinton for defamation. Pierce told Fox News that Page’s lawsuit against the DNC and Perkins Coie was “a first step to ensure that the full extent of the FISA abuse that has occurred during the last few years is exposed and remedied.”
“Defendants and those they worked with inside the federal government did not and will not succeed in making America a surveillance state,” he continued.
In a press release, Pierce added:
For years, Carter Page stood alone as the DNC, Perkins Coie and officials at the highest levels of the federal government attempted to destroy his life and derail President Trump’s 2016 campaign. They failed on both fronts. It is a credit to Dr. Page’s strength of character, resilience and patriotism that he was not broken by this onslaught. He no longer stands alone. Today, Pierce Bainbridge and Dr. Page begin a campaign to restore Dr. Page’s name and hold those who targeted him accountable. Most importantly, this is a first step to ensure that the full extent of the FISA abuse that has occurred during the last few years is exposed and remedied. Defendants and those they worked with inside the federal government did not and will not succeed in making America a surveillance state. But this is thanks only to the brave actions of patriotic citizens such as Dr. Page who stand up as individuals to fight for the civil liberties of all Americans. This is only the first salvo. We will follow the evidence wherever it leads, no matter how high, and we will hold all those who conspired to destroy Dr. Page’s life along with the Constitution accountable. The rule of law will prevail.