U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones has denied an effort by U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., to move a lawsuit filed against him in Georgia state court to federal court. The lawsuit, brought by a former assistant earlier this year, accuses Meadows of sexual harassment and discrimination while she worked for him in his Capitol Hill office.
Meadows had petitioned the court to move the case to federal court, citing his status as a congressman and arguing that the case should be heard in federal court because it involves federal laws. However, Judge Jones denied Meadows’ petition, ruling that the case against him “arises solely under Georgia law [and] is properly before [the Georgia] court.” Jones also noted that the case “does not necessarily involve significant questions of federal law.”
The lawsuit is ongoing in Georgia state court, where Meadows is defending himself pro se. He has denied the allegations against him and is seeking to have the case dismissed. The case is expected to go to trial in 2021.
