Judge Rejects ‘2016: Obama’s America’ Lawsuits

Did Oscars Punish ’2016 Obama’s America’? Producer Says Yes, Academy Says No

The two legal actions against Dinesh D’Souza are heading to arbitration — just like the 2016: Obama’s America co-director said he wanted. “The court declines to decide this case on the merits outside the arbitration process,” Judge Kevin Enright ruled today in San Diego Superior Court. In separate suits, D’Souza’s former producing partner Douglas Sain and the investor group Rancho Esperanza both sought temporary restraining orders against the author and filmmaker. Both claimed D’Souza had misused funds related to the film, which has grossed more than $33 million at the box office, making it the second-most-successful domestic political documentary ever. After listening to arguments from lawyers from all parties Wednesday, Enright rejected the plaintiffs’ request today. “The applications before the court are vague, lack specificity and do not seek to enjoin a particular act. The plaintiffs failed to make an adequate show of irreparable harm to occur in such a way that cannot be later remedied,” he wrote. D’Souza’s lawyer James Burgess of LA firm Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton did not respond to request for comment. Neither did Sain’s lawyer David King of San Diego’s King Law Group or Rancho Esperanza’s attorney Joe Leventhal of Leventhal Law Firm.

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