Mariah Carey Wins Dismissal of Brother’s Defamation Lawsuit Over Memoir
Mariah Carey has won the complete dismissal of a defamation lawsuit brought against her by her brother, Morgan Carey, over passages in her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey.
Dismissal of the Remaining Claims
Justice Leslie A. Stroth of the New York State Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Morgan Carey failed to establish that his sister acted with actual malice when she wrote the book. Morgan first filed the lawsuit on May 28, 2021, claiming the memoir ruined his reputation by describing him as a violent drug dealer and a drunk, and alleging he had physically abused their mother. Pursuant to New York’s anti-SLAPP statute, plaintiffs are required to demonstrate that the defendant published an untruthful statement either knowing it was false or exhibiting reckless disregard for its veracity. Justice Stroth wrote that Morgan’s belief that his sister felt ill will toward him was insufficient proof.
Earlier Legal Rulings in the Five-Year Case
The decision concludes a legal battle that began nearly five years ago. Back in 2022, judge Barbara Jaffe threw out 14 of 16 claims in Morgan’s original complaint and dismissed all claims against the book’s publisher, Macmillan. Jaffe allowed certain claims to proceed regarding allegations that Morgan sold cocaine in the 1980s and had been in the system, though she noted he had failed to demonstrate damages at that time. Morgan’s attorneys filed an amended complaint in January, seeking in excess of $1.5m relating to the cancellation of a film he co-wrote—which he blamed on a producer’s fear of angering his sister—along with unspecified damages for emotional distress. The legal filings valued his total claimed damages at believed to exceed $20 million.
Carey and Morgan Lawyers Respond to Court Ruling
John Rosenberg, an attorney for Mariah Carey, told People magazine that the singer is gratified by the ruling. Rosenberg stated that the court recognized the memoir addresses significant issues of public interest and confirmed that authors must be afforded broad protection when speaking out on matters of public concern. Conversely, Richard Altman, one of Morgan’s attorneys, told Variety on Tuesday that they respectfully disagree with the decision and intend to appeal it very soon.
The memoir also prompted legal action from the siblings’ sister, Alison Carey, who filed a $1.2m defamation suit in 2021 over allegations in the book. Alison denied claims that she gave Mariah third-degree burns and exposed her to danger at age 12, accusing the singer of using her public status to promote book sales. Alison did not pursue the lawsuit and died in 2024 at the age of 63.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.