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

LONDON (AP) — Renowned television personality Judge Judy Sheindlin has taken legal action against the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly. Sheindlin claims that a recent article published by the tabloids falsely alleged that she was involved in assisting the Menendez brothers in seeking a retrial following their conviction for the murder of their parents.

The contentious story, titled “Inside Judge Judy’s Quest to Save the Menendez Brothers Nearly 35 Years After Their Parents’ Murder,” was first released on InTouch Weekly’s website on April 10. The lawsuit, filed in circuit court in Collier County, Florida, alleges that the article was misleading and defamatory.

The National Enquirer, a publication affiliated with InTouch Weekly and owned by Accelerate360 Media, later republished a version of the controversial story. The Menendez brothers’ case, which dates back to 1989 in Beverly Hills, California, had previously garnered attention from various tabloids.

Sheindlin vehemently denied any involvement in the Menendez case and emphasised that she had refrained from commenting on the matter. The lawsuit suggests that the tabloids may have misattributed statements from a Fox Nation docuseries made by “Judi Ramos,” an alternate juror in the Menendez trial, to the television judge.

Accelerate360 Media, the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly, is yet to respond to the legal action initiated by Sheindlin. The company’s recent attempt to sell the National Enquirer reportedly fell through.

In a statement, Sheindlin expressed her determination to seek justice in this matter. She did not specify a monetary amount for damages but indicated that the repercussions for the tabloids would be significant.

“When false narratives are created about me with the sole intent of generating profits, disregarding the truth and tarnishing the reputation I have built over the years, there will be consequences,” Sheindlin stated. “Repeating such actions multiple times is unacceptable and will come at a high cost. The price must be substantial to deter such unethical behaviour in the future.”

Sheindlin, known for her long-standing role as the host of the syndicated show “Judge Judy” until 2021, now fronts a new series titled “Judy Justice.” This is not the first time she has faced issues with the National Enquirer, as the publication previously issued a retraction and apology in 2017 for inaccurate stories about her health and personal life.