Sheldon Adelson lost his bid on Monday to dismiss a lawsuit from the National Jewish Democratic Council accusing the Republican mega-donor and casino magnate of waging a yearslong campaign of “legal sadism” in pressing a defamation suit that was ultimately dismissed under Nevada’s anti-SLAPP law.

U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken of the Southern District of New York said that Adelson was responsible for compensatory damages and attorney fees under Nevada’s anti–strategic lawsuit against public participation statute, which blocks litigation meant to intimidate individuals for their involvement in public affairs.