Renowned television personality “Judge” Judy Sheindlin has initiated legal action against the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly for defamation.
Sheindlin alleges that the publications disseminated false information suggesting she was involved in efforts 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, centers around a story published on InTouch Weekly’s website on April 10, titled:
“Inside Judge Judy’s Quest to Save the Menendez Brothers Nearly 35 Years After Their Parents’ Murder.”
This story later appeared in the National Enquirer, both publications being owned by Accelerate360 Media.
Sheindlin asserts that she has made no comments regarding the Menendez case and speculates that the publications attributed statements from a Fox Nation docuseries by a woman identified as “Judi Ramos,” an alternate juror in the first Menendez trial, to her, falsely linking her to the case.
There has been no immediate response from Accelerate360 Media regarding the lawsuit.
In her statement, Sheindlin emphasized the detrimental impact of fabricated stories on her reputation, stating:
“When you fabricate stories about me in order to make money for yourselves with no regard for the truth or the reputation I’ve spent a lifetime cultivating, it’s going to cost you.”
While Sheindlin did not specify the amount of damages sought, she suggests that the repercussions would be significant.
This legal action is not the first time Sheindlin has confronted the National Enquirer.
In 2017, the publication retracted and apologized for false stories alleging Sheindlin’s health issues and marital infidelity.
