A defamation lawsuit filed by Mariah Carey's older brother, Morgan Carey, has been dismissed by the New York State Supreme Court, resulting in a significant victory for the American singer.
A lengthy trial spanning over three years has come to a close, with a significant financial compensation exceeding $20 million being sought on behalf of the artist behind the popular holiday song "All I Want for Christmas Is You".
A long-standing legal dispute began in May 2021, when Morgan Carey initiated litigation in response to the publication of the artist's memoir, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey," which was released in 2020.
The pop star's memoir details tumultuous childhood experiences and family relationships, specifically highlighting her brother's history of violent behavior and alleged involvement in physical altercations and addiction struggles. Her brother has countered that these accounts have irreparably harmed his reputation and resulted in significant financial losses to his professional endeavors.
A court ruling has found that a defamation case brought by singer Morgan against an unidentified party has been dismissed due to insufficient evidence. The judge, Leslie A. Stroth, determined that Morgan failed to meet the necessary legal standards for defamation cases involving public figures, specifically failing to provide sufficient proof of "actual malice." This refers to the plaintiff's inability to demonstrate that the defendant knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
Mariah Carey's lawyer, John Rosenberg, has expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision, which acknowledges the significance of the artist's memories as a matter of public interest. The majority of Morgan's initial allegations were previously dismissed by authorities in 2022, resulting in only a limited number of charges being pursued and ultimately filed in their entirety.
Morgan Carey's legal representative, Richard Altman, expressed disagreement with the court's initial ruling, stating that they will respectfully appeal the decision in the near future.
