A Utah land developer and entrepreneur is suing a rural Utah newspaper for defamation, alleging it published libel in articles that raised questions about his business investments and his plans to build a $280 million manufacturing plant in Fillmore.
Wayne Aston, who founded American Spec Industries, sued the Millard County Chronicle Progress in December, saying it published five defamatory and inaccurate articles about his attempts to develop a factory on 151 acres of land. Aston alleges in the lawsuit that the negative press has harmed his business by causing readers to “distrust, hate and despise” him and his company, and led to several lenders rejecting his loan applications. He’s seeking at least $10 million in damages.
Jeff Hunt, an attorney for the Chronicle Progress, said the newspaper “stands by its reporting and intends to vigorously defend against Mr. Aston’s lawsuit.” He noted that the news organization, which currently staffs four people, has been covering Millard County for 130 years.
“Newspapers like the Chronicle Progress perform a role that is vital in our democracy — informing residents about what is happening in their local communities,” Hunt said. “Yet these newspapers are disappearing across the country.”
Aston sued both the Chronicle Progress and Matt Ward, who wrote the articles about Aston’s development plans. He argues the newspaper brought up negative accusations about his previous business dealings in an effort to dissuade Fillmore city officials from continuing the project.
Aston’s attorney didn’t respond to an email seeking comment this week. The developer in March 2022 announced he planned to build a factory to produce modular housing units. But by last August, the Chronicle Progress reported Aston’s plans had changed significantly. Ward reported then that the development agreement no longer proposed building modular housing, but a facility which would turn construction waste into other building products.
Ward, an editor and reporter at the paper since 2019, wrote in an article that city officials had soured on Aston’s plans, citing comments made during a city council meeting. But Aston argued in his lawsuit that the city has never “completely rejected” his project, and that he continues to work with them to revise details in the development agreement.
