Russian Tech Exec Named in Controversial Trump Dossier Sues BuzzFeed

A Russian tech executive named in an unverified dossier about Donald Trump is suing BuzzFeed and editor Ben Smith for publishing the report, calling it "perhaps one of the most reckless and irresponsible moments in modern 'journalism,'" CNN reported.

Aleksej Gubarev filed the lawsuit in Broward County, Florida, on Friday, CNN reports.

Later Friday, BuzzFeed spokesman Matt Mittenthal said the outlet had redacted Gubarev's name from the published dossier, "and apologize for including it," Politico reported.

Gubarev's lawsuit claims the anti-Trump dossier – reportedly compiled by a former British spy – falsely alleges he was "recruited under duress by the [Russian security agency] FSB" and became a "significant player" in the Russian government operation to hack the Democratic National Committee.

Although several news organizations had obtained the 35-page dossier, BuzzFeed was the only one to publish it in full. Gubarev was named on the very last page, CNN reported.

In his lawsuit, Gubarev said "he has found his personal and professional reputation in tatters," CNN reported, claiming his companies, XBT and Webzilla, have been severely damaged by the unsubstantiated accusations.

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