12.13.11
Posted in Defamation of Character at 4:02 pm by kevin
Several weeks ago allegations were made against the former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky in regard to child sexual abuse. Since this time 10 other alleged victims have come forward and Sandusky is out on $250,000 bail under house arrest.
Now, more recently at Syracuse University, associate coach Bernie Fine has also been accused of molestation by a pair of stepbrothers. Bobby Davis and Mike Lang, 39-years-old and 45-years-old respectively, because of their age and when the offenses are said to have occurred are past the statute of limitations in which to file a case.
But, instead the two are filing a defamation of character lawsuit again Syracuse University and their men’s basketball head coach Jim Boeheim for public remarks he had made when he learned of the accusations. Bernie Fine had been fired within 10 days of ESPN reporting the accusations.
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04.28.11
Posted in Defamation of Character at 10:53 am by kevin
Actress Katie Holmes (and wife of Tom Cruise) has settled a $50 million lawsuit against Star magazine. This defamation of character lawsuit claimed Star had committed libel against Holmes by stating that she was addicted to drugs.
Star published this public apology to Holmes, “Star apologizes to Ms. Holmes for any misperception and will be making a substantial donation to charity on Ms. Holmes’ behalf for any harm that we may have caused.”
Besides the apology the settlement also included a large undisclosed donation by Star to a charity of Holmes’ choice. The article by Star magazine was more about Scientology of which Holmes and Cruise participate than a direct attack on Holmes.
But, nevertheless, having Holmes on the cover in order to sell Star magazines landed the company with a rather large lawsuit for the defamation.
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11.27.07
Posted in Defamation of Character at 4:35 pm by kevin
The widow fame tenor Luciano Pavarotti has filed a $44 million lawsuit against two former friends. In September 2007, Pavarotti died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 71. The lawsuit for defamation of character are against Franca Corfini Strata and Lidia La Marca who have been making statements to the media about marital strife between Pavarotti and wife, Nicoletta Mantovani before his death.
The lawsuit seeks $22 million from each woman and Mantovani says the proceeds of the litigation will be donated to charity. At stake in the lawsuit is the future earning power of the estate and any damages it may incur by false statements and rumors.
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03.09.07
Posted in Defamation of Character at 2:01 pm by kevin
The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that a defamation of character lawsuit against the Ames Tribune newspaper go forward. The lawsuit, according to the Associated Press is being brought by a former freelance writer for the paper, Todd Stevens.
The lawsuit involves a negative article in 2002 about the Iowa State University athletics department, written by Stevens, which editors at the Ames Tribune then declined to print. At issue are alleged comments by the editors that Stevens rarely attended the events about which he wrote.
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