Defamation Case Expands into Battle Over Casino Plans

A legal dispute from a local election in North Carolina has grown more intense, as defendants in a defamation lawsuit argue the case is less about harm to reputation and more about a broader political battle over casino development in Rockingham County.

Defendants Say Lawsuit Driven by Anti-Casino Agenda

Former county commissioner Craig Travis filed the lawsuit in 2024 after he lost a Republican primary race for a seat on the Board of Commissioners. Travis missed a chance to advance and finished just behind incumbent Kevin Berger in a crowded field. After the election, he launched legal action against several individuals and political groups and claimed they spread false and destructive statements about him during the campaign, as reported by The Carolina Journal.

Those named in the suit include current and former county officials, a local party leader, and several conservative organizations. The defendants have pushed back in filings before the state’s Court of Appeals, insisting the case lacks merit and was designed to advance Travis’ long-standing opposition to casino expansion in the region.

According to defense attorneys, the lawsuit devotes significant attention to the influence of the gambling industry, including lobbying efforts and political donations, rather than focusing on the alleged defamatory remarks. They argue that this emphasis reveals the true intent behind the legal action. In their view, the individuals and groups named in the case were not the real focus but rather incidental to a larger political agenda.

Defendants Push to Dismiss Case, Call Appeal Baseless

The defense also points out that no casino operators, lobbyists, or lawmakers were included as defendants, despite being central to the narrative outlined in the complaint. They further claim that early legal actions taken by Travis, such as subpoenas and information requests, targeted records related to casino activities rather than the supposed defamatory statements.

On that basis, the defendants are asking the appeals court to uphold a previous ruling that dismissed the case. A trial judge had already thrown out the lawsuit in 2025, rejecting claims that the court’s decision had bias. Travis later challenged that outcome, but the same judge declined to reconsider.

Attorneys for the defendants now argue that the appeal itself is unwarranted and have requested reimbursement for legal expenses, describing the case as frivolous.

Travis, however, maintains that the lawsuit is justified. In earlier filings, his legal team outlined a series of campaign materials and communications that misrepresented his record and character. These included accusations related to taxes, law enforcement funding, and personal conduct, which Travis insists were false and harmful to his campaign. He also contends that the negative messaging was coordinated and tied to his opposition to a proposed casino project supported by local political figures.

The appeals court has yet to issue a decision, leaving the future of the case uncertain as both sides continue to press their arguments.