Democrat US Rep. Maxine Waters Faces Backlash as Joe Collins Accuses Her of Dodging Deposition in Defamation Lawsuit
KEY POINT: Republican Joe Collins, a Navy veteran and former congressional candidate, is ramping up his legal fight against Congresswoman Maxine Waters. He accuses her of dodging a deposition in a defamation case that has been heating up for years. He claims that in 2020, Waters was in a desperate bid to secure re-election and smeared his military service by falsely accusing him of being dishonorably discharged.
In a recent Facebook live video, Collins gave an update on the ongoing struggle.
“Maxine Waters is trying to dodge this deposition,” Collins said. “We were supposed to have it in February, but her attorney filed a last-minute motion saying she couldn’t make it because she’s a ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee and her calendar is too full. Really?”
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Los Angeles, CA – The legal battle between former U.S. Navy veteran Joe Collins and Congresswoman Maxine Waters over defamation allegations continues to intensify. Collins, who challenged Waters in 2020 for California’s 43rd District seat, has accused the long-serving congresswoman of launching a smear campaign during the election by falsely claiming he was dishonorably discharged from the Navy.
Collins posted an update on Wednesday to his social media:
This defamation case was first filed in 2020 but gained renewed attention after a major legal ruling in Collins’ favor last year. Despite a previous victory in court, the case has reached a critical point as Waters’ legal team attempts to delay the discovery process, particularly a crucial deposition that Collins has been seeking.
Collins, a decorated Navy veteran, has long maintained that Waters and her campaign falsely accused him of a dishonorable discharge, undermining his credibility with district voters. His case is grounded in what he argues were reckless, malicious claims made to damage his military reputation and his chances of winning the race.
Collins went on to explain that despite Waters’ attempts to push back the deposition, his attorney, Ronda Baldwin Kennedy, reached out to schedule alternative dates for the deposition. “They haven’t responded to our request,” Collins said. “This is the kind of dismissive attitude we’ve been getting from Waters’ camp. She’s acting like she’s above the law.”
In his Facebook live, Collins didn’t mince words about the broader implications of Waters’ actions. “Nobody’s above the law. Not even Maxine Waters,” he declared. “She’s trying to use her position to dodge accountability. This is about integrity. It’s about ensuring that elected officials can’t just make up lies to win an election.”
Collins also accused Waters of failing to verify her accusations, which he believes were meant to discredit him because he was gaining momentum in the campaign. “She was losing ground in the race, and my campaign was gaining traction, especially among voters who felt neglected by the establishment. So, she went after my military service,” Collins explained. “She should have checked her facts before making those claims.”
The 2020 defamation lawsuit stems from Collins’ allegations that Waters’ campaign spent significant resources spreading the false claim that he was dishonorably discharged from the Navy. Collins has repeatedly provided documentary evidence to refute the accusation, including his DD214, the official military discharge record.
Despite the mounting evidence in Collins’ favor, Waters’ team continues to delay proceedings, which has prompted Collins to take his fight public. “This lawsuit isn’t just about clearing my name,” Collins said. “It’s about holding people accountable for their actions and making sure our political system isn’t manipulated by lies.”
Collins has called on his supporters to pressure Waters by contacting her office and Speaker Mike Johnson, demanding that Waters comply with the deposition and face the legal consequences of her actions.
The case, which continues to attract significant attention, will likely head to trial in April 2025. Collins is seeking damages for defamation and emotional distress, as well as a public retraction of the false claims.
Waters has yet to respond to the latest developments in the case, leaving many questioning whether she will continue to avoid accountability or face the consequences of her actions.