“Judge Judy” Sheindlin : “Judge Judy Sues Tabloids for Defamation”

LONDON (AP) — Television personality Judge Judy Sheindlin has taken legal action against the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly over a story that falsely alleged she was working to secure a retrial for the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents.

The lawsuit, filed in circuit court in Collier County, Florida, claims that the story, published on InTouch Weekly’s website, was titled “Inside Judge Judy’s Quest to Save the Menendez Brothers Nearly 35 Years After Their Parents’ Murder.” The article was later republished in the National Enquirer, both publications being owned by Accelerate360 Media.

Sheindlin clarified that she has not made any statements regarding the Menendez case and speculated that the news outlets may have misattributed statements from a Fox Nation docuseries made by an alternate juror named “Judi Ramos” to her.

There has been no response from Accelerate360 Media on the matter. It is noteworthy that their attempt to sell the National Enquirer last year did not materialize.

Although Sheindlin did not specify a monetary amount in damages, she emphasized that the repercussions would be significant.

In a statement, Sheindlin said, “When you fabricate stories about me solely for financial gain, disregarding the truth and the reputation I have painstakingly built over the years, there will be consequences. When this occurs repeatedly, it is unjustifiable and will come at a high cost. The price must be substantial to deter further misconduct.”

Having hosted the popular show “Judge Judy” until 2021 and now fronting “Judy Justice,” Sheindlin has had previous disputes with the National Enquirer. In 2017, the publication issued an apology and retraction for articles falsely alleging that she had Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and had been unfaithful to her husband.