Accessibility links
Abc Libel ABC lost a libel suit today and has been ordered to pay ten million dollars in damages to a Florida banker. Alan Levan, chief executive of the Fort Lauderdale-based S&L, BankAtlantic, brought the suit after a 1991 segment on ABC's newsmagazine, "20/20" alleged he had engaged in fraudulent business transactions involving a real estate for bonds swap. Levan was later convicted in federal court, but a fraud verdict was erased in a settlement. His suit against ABC said the network had depicted him as a swindler and severely damaged his reputation. NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports.

All Things Considered

Abc Libel

Heard on All Things Considered

Abc Libel

Listen · 3:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1041292/41292" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

ABC lost a libel suit today and has been ordered to pay ten million dollars in damages to a Florida banker. Alan Levan, chief executive of the Fort Lauderdale-based S&L, BankAtlantic, brought the suit after a 1991 segment on ABC's newsmagazine, "20/20" alleged he had engaged in fraudulent business transactions involving a real estate for bonds swap. Levan was later convicted in federal court, but a fraud verdict was erased in a settlement. His suit against ABC said the network had depicted him as a swindler and severely damaged his reputation. NPR's Brooke Gladstone reports.