Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
The Firm
201-896-4100 info@sh-law.comFirm Insights
"The Wolf of Wall Street" Filmmakers Sued for Defamation
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: March 14, 2014
Key Contacts
Back
“The Wolf of Wall Street” Defamation suit
The creators of “The Wolf of Wall Street” are currently dealing with the disappointment of being shut out at the Academy Awards, but it appears as though they may have some bigger problems on their hands.
When movies are based on a true story, characters will closely mirror people who actually lived the experiences depicted on the big screen. In some cases, people are painted in a good light – but that isn’t always the case.
The Plaintiff
Attorney and investment banker, Andrew Greene, said the character in “The Wolf of Wall Street” – Nicky “Rugrat” Koskoff – was modeled after him and he isn’t happy about how he was represented. In fact, it is being reported that Greene recently filed a $25 million defamation lawsuit against the movies creators and Paramount Pictures. Greene was unhappy with the fact that his character is depicted doing drugs, among other questionable activities, and wants to be reimbursed for this damage to his personal image.
Unfortunately for Greene, proving defamation isn’t exactly easy in a court of law. First, it must be shown that the defaming act was published. This shouldn’t be a problem, as long as Greene is able to show strong evidence that Nicky Koskoff was based off his life. However, the next steps are where it can get tricky. Greene has to show that the depiction of him was without a doubt not true.
If he is able to get past that step, Greene must then show his depiction in the movie was made with the intent of causing some form of harm, and that damages actually occurred. It is very unlikely that director Martin Scorsese depicted Green with the intent of causing harm, so there is very little chance that he will be successful with his lawsuit.
- Industries: Entertainment & Media
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
What Business Owners Get Wrong Before Meeting a Litigation Attorney
What should you expect when meeting a litigation attorney about a business dispute? You should expect to describe the dispute in your own words, hand over the most important documents, flag any deadlines or immediate threats, and leave with a clearer picture of the problem, what information is still needed, and the likely next steps. […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Arbitration vs. Litigation vs. Mediation: What New Jersey Businesses Should Know Before Signing a Contract
Arbitration resolves disputes privately before an arbitrator whose decision is usually final, while litigation resolves them in court with full rights of appeal. Whether a business ends up in arbitration or litigation is often decided when it signs the contract, long before any dispute arises. Key Takeaways When facing a contract dispute, carefully consider your […]
Author: Graham Staton
Can You Own Part of a New Jersey Business Without a Written Agreement?
Can you own part of a business in New Jersey without a written agreement? Yes, it is possible. Under New Jersey’s Uniform Partnership Act, a partnership can arise when two or more people carry on a business as co-owners for profit, whether or not they ever intended to form one. Ownership doesn’t necessarily depend on […]
Author: Michael Mietlicki
Crisis-Proofing Your New Jersey Business: Building a Crisis Response Plan Before You Need One
For New Jersey businesses, crisis preparedness should be viewed as a legal and operational function, not simply an emergency-management exercise. A well-designed crisis response plan can help preserve evidence, protect confidential communications, meet reporting obligations, limit unnecessary exposure, and prevent an already difficult situation from becoming a larger legal problem. Key Takeaways A serious crisis […]
Author: Sean M. Pena
Monmouth County's Next Development Wave: What Developers and Investors Need to Know
Monmouth County is entering a significant new phase of development. For those looking to acquire property or undertake a new project, understanding the market opportunity is only the beginning. The more important question is whether a particular property can actually be developed as contemplated and what approvals, agreements, and other conditions will be required to […]
Author: Donald M. Pepe
Are Your Conversations with AI Shielded from Discovery? Courts Are Split
Whether a client’s prompts to a generative AI tool and the documents it produces are protected from disclosure depends on the case type, who claims protection, and whether counsel was involved. In United States v. Heppner, a New York federal judge ruled that a criminal defendant’s communications with an AI platform were protected by neither […]
Author: Chris Seelinger
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.