After facing sexual misconduct allegations earlier in the year, Barstool Sports Founder and CEO claims that he was falsely accused of the sexual misconduct and assault allegations. On November 7, 2022, a Massachusetts federal judge determined that the defamation charges were in sufficient. U.S. District Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV said that the claims “fell short of the heightened standard in cases involving public figures.” Thus, Judge Saylor granted Insiders Inc.’s motion to dismiss against the CEO. Portnoy asserts that the information published in the magazines/newsletter was false. At the very least. Portnoy asserts that the information was published with “reckless disregard for the truth.”
Judge Saylor said in response, “The complaint fails to lay out sufficient facts from which it may be inferred that defendants published the articles with actual malice. The complaint contends in general terms that defendants made the allegedly defamatory statements ‘with a knowing and reckless disregard of the truth,’ but it’s specific factual allegations do not support that conclusion.” Additionally, “Such allegations of animosity or ill will, however, do not suffice to plead actual malice,”
