Lawyers representing former television news anchor Dan Rather announced Wednesday they had filed a lawsuit against the CBS network seeking 70 million dollars for violating his contract.
Rather, 75, was one of the most high-profile US television journalists during his 44-year career ending in 2005.
The case involves a situation in late 2004, in the thick of the US presidential election, when Rather was investigating US President George W. Bush's role during the Vietnam war era.
Bush was up for re-election, and an explosive CBS report showed what it said were documents proving that Bush was given preferential treatment as a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. The unit was never sent to Vietnam.
The allegations have long existed, but have never been proven.
The document, however, turned out to be a fake. Rather was forced to retract the story 12 days later, and after an investigation four CBS employees were fired over the incident.
Rather left CBS in March 2005, his reputation tarnished.
In the lawsuit Rather claims he was the network's scapegoat, offered to calm the ire of the White House. The suit also claims the network cut back his on-air time following the incident.
"These complaints are old news, and this lawsuit is without merit," said CBS spokesman Dana McClintock.
