Tara Reade lawyer sends ‘cease and desist’ letter to critic

Tara Reade’s attorneys have sent a “cease and desist” letter to one of her most outspoken critics, the owner of a not for profit who has publicly accused Reade of being “manipulative” and “a liar.”

Lynn Hummer, the owner of Pregnant Mare Rescue in Santa Cruz County, Calif. where Reade volunteered from 2014-2016, received a letter from Reade’s lawyers dated May 17, calling on her to stop making comments “to the media and online” about Reade, which they call false and defamatory. A copy of the letter was provided to POLITICO.

Reade is the former Joe Biden staffer who has accused him of sexual assaulting her in the 1990s.

Hummer has portrayed Reade as dishonest in media interviews, including with POLITICO, and on social media, accusing her of taking advantage of the not for profit. Hummer has said that Reade charged Pregnant Mare Rescue for a costly veterinarian bill that serviced Reade’s personal horse.

“These harassing, intimidating and false statements are unlawful and are clearly intended to tarnish and impugn Ms. Reade’s character and reputation,” the letter, signed by attorney Douglas Wigdor, states. “Let this letter serve as a final demand for you to cease and desist from engaging in this or similar conduct immediately.”

Wigdor complained about one of Hummer’s Facebook posts, which said Reade “lied to America” regarding her allegations against Mr. Biden. The letter also asserts that Hummer falsely made claims about stealing money from her.

The dispute spilled into the open on social media last month, with Reade directly threatening Hummer with legal action.

“A lawyer will be in contact with you for defaming me,” Reade said over Twitter. “You may not continue to spread false information regarding my life.”

After receiving the letter Sunday, Hummer hired an attorney who now accuses Reade’s lawyers of trying to silence his client.

“I find it very ironic that her attorney is trying to bully witnesses when he is claiming that is what’s happening to her in the Joe Biden case,” Hummer’s attorney, Pat Harris told POLITICO. “The last thing in the world that Tara Reade wants to do is meet Lynn Hummer in the courtroom.

Hummer, who has been unequivocal about her time with Reade on her ranch, was among the those who talked to POLITICO in a Friday article that detailed a trail of aggrieved Reade acquaintances who say they felt duped by Reade — who also uses the name Alexandra McCabe.

“She has a problem,” Hummer told POLITICO then, calling Reade “very clever, manipulative. … I do think she’s a liar.”

Harris said his client isn’t going to back down.

“We’ll be more than happy to provide actual physical evidence that backs up Ms. Hummer’s story,” Harris said. “All Reade has is a lawyer trying to bully my client.”