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
The Current Administration's Proposals for the Financial Services and Banking Industries Will Affect Your Business
Since his inauguration two months ago, Donald Trump’s administration and the Congress it controls have indicated important upcoming policy changes. These changes will impact financial services policies and priorities. The changes will particularly affect cryptocurrency, as well as banking rules and regulations. Key Regulatory Changes in Cryptocurrency For example, in the burgeoning cryptocurrency business environment, […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Tips for Commercial Landlords Impacted by Wave of Retailer Bankruptcies Part 1
The retail sector has experienced a wave of bankruptcy filings over the last year. Brick-and-mortar businesses in financial distress include big-name brands like Big Lots, Party City, The Container Store, and Vitamin Shoppe. When large retailers seek bankruptcy protection, they are not the only businesses impacted. Landlords can be particularly hard hit. While commercial landlords […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
How Understanding Bankruptcy Trends Can Benefit Your Business
The bankruptcy legal landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses navigating financial distress. Understanding current bankruptcy trends can help businesses make more informed and strategic decisions. Corporate Bankruptcy Filings Trending Upwards Bankruptcy filings continued to trend upwards in 2024. According to statistics released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, personal and business […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
SEC Takes Actions Against Issuers for Failure to File Form D
In December, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against two privately held companies for failing to file a Form D notice, which is generally utilized for exempt securities offerings. Here, the SEC’s enforcement sends a strong message: compliance with regulatory requirements is not optional and failure to comply can have significant consequences. […]
Author: Kenneth C. Oh
Redefining Labor Relations: NLRB's Pivot from Abruzzo’s Memoranda
On February 14, 2025, the Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) under Acting General Counsel William B. Cowen issued Memorandum 25-05, “New Process for More Efficient, Effective, Accessible and Transparent Case handling.” The Memorandum rescinds nearly all of the Memoranda issued by his direct predecessor, Jennifer Abruzzo, setting the […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
What Are FIRPTA Withholding Requirements?
If you purchase real property from a foreign person or entity, you may be required to withhold taxes from your payment to the seller under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA). The federal tax law is designed to ensure that foreign sellers pay any applicable capital gains tax on profits realized from […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
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.