From Billboard · Rachel Scharf · · 50s
Mariah Carey wins brother's defamation lawsuit dismissal
Mariah Carey's memoir author wins court dismissal of brother's defamation claims over alleged cocaine sales and prison time.
In brief
Mariah Carey's memoir author wins court dismissal of brother's defamation claims over alleged cocaine sales and prison time. Mariah Carey's memoir author wins court dismissal of brother's defamation claims over alleged cocaine sales and prison time. Originally reported by Billboard.
Court dismisses Morgan Carey's defamation claims
A New York judge dismissed Morgan Carey's defamation lawsuit against Mariah Carey over passages in her 2020 memoir.
“The Court finds that Plaintiff has not sufficiently pleaded actual malice on the part of Defendant”
Defamation lawsuit requires proof of actual malice
New York law requires public figures to prove 'actual malice', intentional lies, for defamation claims to succeed.
“New York law requires a defamation lawsuit against a public figure to plead 'actual malice', that is, demonstrate that they lied on purpose”
Mariah's attorney celebrates dismissal
Mariah Carey's attorney John Rosenberg said the court recognized her memoir addresses public interest and dismissed the lawsuit entirely.
“Ms. Carey is gratified that the Court recognized that her memoir addresses significant issues of public interest and dismissed her brother’s defamation claims in their entirety”
Morgan plans to appeal dismissal
Morgan Carey's attorney Richard Altman said he plans to appeal the dismissal, claiming it conflicts with prior rulings in the case.
“We respectfully disagree with today’s decision as being inconsistent with prior rulings in the case”
Here's the gist
Mariah Carey's memoir author wins court dismissal of brother's defamation claims over alleged cocaine sales and prison time.
