Benac asks court to dismiss Van Ostenbridge's 'meritless' lawsuit

Lawsuit violates Florida law that protects free speech, according to motion to dismiss.

Former Manatee County commissioner Betsy Benac has asked a judge to dismiss Kevin Van Ostenbridge’s claims that Benac and political action committee she organized defamed Van Ostenbridge during his unsuccessful re-election campaign last year.

In a motion filed Jan. 30, Benac’s attorney, Sean M. Powers, argues that Van Ostenbridge’s lawsuit is not only “m…