Cuban exile leader Jorge Mas Canosa and The New Republic magazine announced a settlement in their two-year-old libel case Monday.
Under the terms, The New Republic apologized to Mas for calling him a ``mobster'' on the cover and in a headline of its Oct. 3, 1994 issue. The magazine, a Washington, D.C.-based journal of political opinion, also agreed to pay $100,000 to establish a scholarship fund in journalism and political science through the Cuban American National Foundation.
The magazine is also running a correction and a strongly worded apology in an upcoming issue.
``Justice has been served,'' Mas said in a press conference at the foundation. ``This is a vindication for the Cuban cause, for the ideals that the Cuban American National Foundation espouses, for my family and myself.''
The New Republic's lawyers said the magazine never intended to say that Mas was a criminal.
Mas' lawyer, Hank Adorno, said he and Mas agreed to the settlement only after the magazine agreed to meet three demands: the apology, the correction and the scholarship fund.
``At no time was this case brought by Mr. Mas Canosa for money,'' Adorno said. ``It was brought for one reason and one reason alone, and that's for principle.''
Mas said he brought the suit, his first libel action against a publication, as a ``last resort.'' He said he viewed the case as unique.
``They are beyond the moral limit when they call me a mobster,'' Mas said.
While apologizing and correcting the use of the word ``mobster'' on the cover and in a headline, The New Republic stood by the article itself, written by Ann Louise Bardach. Mas had originally sued over both the word ``mobster'' and numerous facts in the article itself.
The New Republic will issue the following correction:
``On October 3, 1994, The New Republic published a two-part cover story dealing with Cuba. The second of those articles appeared under the cover-page title of `Clinton's Miami Mobster' and was about Cuban exile leader Jorge Mas Canosa.
``The use of the word `mobster' was the sole responsibility of The New Republic and not the author. The New Republic did not intend to imply that Mr. Mas has been involved in any criminal activity. The New Republic did not intend to accuse Mr. Mas of being in any way connected to, or engaged in, criminal activity of any kind, nor was its use of the word based on any evidence of criminal activity on Mr. Mas' part. Nothing in the article by Ann Louise Bardach stated or should be interpreted as stating or suggesting that Mr. Mas was involved in criminal activity. The New Republic regrets any injury or embarrassment that may have been caused to Mr. Mas or his family.''
Herald Staff Writer Lisa Getter contributed to this report.
© 1996 The Miami Herald. The information you receive on-line from
The Miami Herald is protected by the copyright laws of the United States.
The copyright laws prohibit any copying, redistributing, retransmitting,
or repurposing of any copyright-protected material.
Send questions and comments to feedback@herald.com
