Judge Judy Sheindlin filed a lawsuit against Accelerate360 Media, the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly, for publishing a false story claiming that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial for their parents’ murder. The story, published on InTouch Weekly’s website and later in the National Enquirer, alleged that Sheindlin was involved in the case, which she vehemently denied. The lawsuit, filed in Florida, stated that the news outlets misattributed statements from a woman identified as an alternate juror in the Menendez trial to Sheindlin, despite her having no involvement in the case.
Sheindlin clarified that she has never commented on the Menendez case and that the news outlets likely took statements from a Fox Nation docuseries made by someone else named “Judi Ramos” and incorrectly credited them to the television judge. The lawsuit did not specify a monetary amount for damages, but Sheindlin made it clear that she intends to hold the media accountable for spreading false information about her. She emphasized the importance of protecting her reputation and stated that fabricating stories for profit was unacceptable and would come at a high cost to the responsible parties.
Accelerate360 Media, the company that owns the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly, has not responded to the lawsuit or made any public statements regarding the allegations. Last year, the company attempted to sell the National Enquirer but the deal fell through. Sheindlin’s legal action against the media outlets is not the first time she has had to address false claims published about her. In 2017, the National Enquirer retracted and apologized for stories that falsely alleged Sheindlin had Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and had cheated on her husband, further damaging her reputation.
Judge Judy Sheindlin, known for hosting the syndicated show “Judge Judy” until 2021 and now hosting “Judy Justice,” is a prominent figure in the legal and entertainment industry. Sheindlin has built a strong reputation over her career and takes false allegations against her seriously. By taking legal action against the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly, she aims to hold them accountable for their actions and prevent further damage to her reputation. The lawsuit highlights the importance of responsible journalism and the consequences of spreading false information for profit.
The Menendez case, which dates back to 1989 and involved the murder of the brothers’ parents in Beverly Hills, California, received significant media coverage at the time. Sheindlin’s lawsuit emphasizes that she has no connection to the case and did not make any statements related to it. The false story published by InTouch Weekly and the National Enquirer misrepresented Sheindlin’s involvement in the case, leading her to take legal action to protect her reputation and hold the media outlets accountable for their actions. The outcome of the lawsuit will likely set a precedent for how celebrities can respond to false claims and seek justice for the damage caused by inaccurate reporting.
