From Mason v. American Prospect, Inc., decided yesterday by Judge Loren L. AliKhan (D.D.C.):
Plaintiff Chataquoa Nicole Mason brings this action against Defendants The American Prospect ("TAP") and Julianne McShane. Dr. Mason alleges that TAP and Ms. McShane defamed her and tortiously interfered with her business relations when they published an article (written and reported by Ms. McShane) covering her tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Women's Policy Research….
IWPR is a "national think tank" that "build[s] evidence to shape policies that grow women's power and influence, close inequality gaps, and improve the economic well-being of families." The organization was founded by Dr. Heidi Hartmann, who served as its long-time President and Chief Executive Officer. In 2019, IWPR's Board of Directors removed Dr. Hartmann from these roles because she was "abusing staff and otherwise creating a toxic work environment, engaging in racist behavior … and failing to adequately fundraise."
IWPR searched for a new President and Chief Executive Officer and hired Dr. Mason in fall 2019. Dr. Mason is an African American woman who holds a Ph.D. in Political Science, boasts "more than twenty years of research and advocacy experience focused on women's economic security," and has a "long track record of success in leadership positions." She entered her new role in a time of tumult, facing budget shortfalls, staff discontentment, and racism. Nevertheless, "she worked tirelessly to achieve major goals," like "dealing with the toxic work environment," raising sorely needed funds (including closing a budget shortfall of more than one million dollars), and increasing the public profile of the organization. Dr. Mason "participate[d] in public forums and networking events," "spearhead[ed] two major conferences," won an industry award, and "was named one of the World's Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine." …
At some point, Ms. McShane, a freelance reporter, began investigating Dr. Mason's leadership of IWPR…. In November 2022, TAP published the article, titled "A Women's Policy Giant Struggles Amid New Leadership," https://perma.cc/P9CY-3V3V. The article highlighted several of Dr. Mason's and IWPR's key accomplishments, including her recognition by Fortune magazine and IWPR's successful fundraising efforts. The article also includes the following statements relevant to Dr. Mason's claims:
