Judge Judy Sheindlin : "Judge Judy Sues Tabloids for Defamation Over Menendez Brothers Stories"

“Judge Judy defamation lawsuit Menendez brothers stories”
“Judge Judy National Enquirer InTouch Weekly defamation”.

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LONDON (AP) — Television personality Judge Judy Sheindlin has filed a lawsuit against the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly for publishing a story that falsely alleged she was involved in helping the Menendez brothers seek a retrial after being convicted of murdering their parents.

The lawsuit, filed in a circuit court in Collier County, Florida, states that the story was first published on InTouch Weekly’s website on April 10 under the headline “Inside Judge Judy’s Quest to Save the Menendez Brothers Nearly 35 Years After Their Parents’ Murder.”

Judge Judy Sheindlin arrives at the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, Calif., on May 5, 2019. Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday, May 13, 2024, for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) — Judge Judy Sheindlin arrives at the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Pasadena, Calif., on May 5, 2019. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

A version of the story later appeared in the National Enquirer, a sister publication to InTouch Weekly also owned by Accelerate360 Media. The 1989 Menendez murders in Beverly Hills, California, garnered significant tabloid attention at the time.

Sheindlin clarified that she has not made any statements regarding the Menendez case. The lawsuit suggests that the news outlets may have misconstrued statements from a Fox Nation docuseries by “Judi Ramos,” an alternate juror in the first Menendez trial, and incorrectly attributed them to Judge Judy.

There has been no immediate response from Accelerate360, the company that failed in its attempt to sell the National Enquirer last year.

Sheindlin did not specify a monetary amount for damages but emphasised that the repercussions would not be insignificant.

“When false stories are fabricated about me solely for the purpose of profit, with no consideration for my well-established reputation, there will be consequences,” she stated. “Repeated instances of such unethical behaviour will not be tolerated and will come at a high cost. This expense is necessary to deter such actions in the future.”

Judge Judy Sheindlin, known for her long-running show “Judge Judy” which ended in 2021 and now hosts “Judy Justice,” has had previous disputes with the National Enquirer. In 2017, the publication issued a retraction and apology for false reports claiming she had Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and had been unfaithful to her husband.