BPI LAWSUIT: ABC Asks Judge To Throw Out Lawsuit

Lawyers for ABC News are asking a judge to toss out a $1 billion defamation lawsuit filed by a South Dakota-based meat processor.

Beef Products Incorporated makes a product known as “lean finely textured beef.” 

In February, ABC aired a report in which a USDA scientist labeled the product “pink slime.”  After the report aired, some stores stopped carrying the BPI product.

The loss in sales forced BPI to shut down its Waterloo plant. 

Lawyers for ABC filed the motion to dismiss the case Wednesday.  A lawyer for BPI says it will oppose the motion.