(WPIX/CNN) - HBO host John Oliver is off the hook in a defamation lawsuit brought by a coal mining magnate.
A West Virginia judge threw out the suit against Oliver and HBO this week, saying there's no evidence of defamation.
Oliver criticized coal magnate Robert Murray on his television show last year.
Among other things, the segment ridiculed Murray's statement that a squirrel gave him the idea to get into the mining business.
Murray then went to court, claiming the show caused damage to the Murray Energy Corporation, particularly in West Virginia.
HBO said that free speech is protected by the First Amendment, even if Murray finds it embarrassing or disagreeable.
Copyright 2018 WPIX via CNN. All rights reserved.
