World · North America · 1 hr ago
Mariah Carey Wins Dismissal of Brother’s Defamation Claims Over Memoir
A New York judge dismissed Morgan Carey’s remaining defamation claims against his sister, singer Mariah Carey.
The lawsuit concerned statements about Morgan in Mariah’s 2020 memoir, *The Meaning of Mariah Carey*.
Morgan said the memoir damaged his reputation by describing him as violent, accusing him of drug trafficking and discussing childhood behavioral problems.
He sought damages he said could exceed $20 million.
The judge found Morgan had not shown actual malice, which New York law requires for this type of claim.
That means he did not provide enough proof that Mariah knew the statements were false or recklessly disregarded the truth.
Morgan’s lawyer says he plans to appeal, so the legal dispute may continue.
A New York judge dismissed Morgan Carey’s remaining defamation claims against his sister, Mariah Carey, over her 2020 memoir.
Justice Leslie A. Stroth found that Morgan had not sufficiently shown that Mariah acted with actual malice.
Morgan had alleged that the memoir damaged his reputation by portraying him as violent and describing childhood behavioral problems.
He said his damages were believed to exceed $20 million.
Morgan’s lawyer said he intends to appeal the decision.
- Who
- Mariah Carey and her brother, Morgan Carey.
- What
- A judge dismissed Morgan’s remaining defamation claims over statements in Mariah’s memoir.
- When
- The ruling was issued Monday; Morgan filed the lawsuit on May 28, 2021.
- Where
- New York State Supreme Court.
- Why
- The judge found Morgan had not sufficiently shown that Mariah made the challenged statements knowing they were false or with reckless disregard for the truth.
Mariah Carey
Morgan Carey
Memoir statements
Mariah Carey
Mariah’s lawyer said the memoir addressed significant issues of public interest and that the claims were properly dismissed.
Morgan Carey
Morgan alleged the memoir falsely portrayed him as violent and described him as having childhood behavioral problems.
Court ruling
Mariah Carey
The judge found Morgan had not sufficiently pleaded actual malice.
Morgan Carey
Morgan’s lawyer said the decision was inconsistent with prior rulings and said he intends to appeal.
Morgan Carey filed his lawsuit.
Mariah Carey published The Meaning of Mariah Carey, which was at the center of Morgan’s claims.
Justice Leslie A. Stroth dismissed Morgan’s remaining defamation claims.
Morgan’s lawyer said he intends to appeal.
- Ruling
- Morgan Carey’s remaining defamation claims were dismissed
- Judge
- Justice Leslie A. Stroth
- Court
- New York State Supreme Court
- Memoir
- The Meaning of Mariah Carey, published in 2020
- Lawsuit filed
- May 28, 2021
- Claimed damages
- Believed to exceed $20 million
What people are saying
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.
Plaintiff has not sufficiently pleaded actual malice on the part of [Mariah]
We respectfully disagree with today’s decision as being completely inconsistent with prior rulings in the case,
We intend to appeal it very soon.