Federal Judge Tosses Ex-Porn Star's Facebook Lawsuit Seeking $1 Billion

In a move that probably surprised no one except the plaintiff, a federal judge in Houston dismissed an ex-porn star's libel suit this week against Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

The ex-performer, whose lengthy criminal record shows her using over a dozen aliases, sued the billionaire under her most recent name, Paree Latiejira. She sued Zuckerberg in August 2016 over third-party Facebook comments that claimed she was born a man. Latiejira alleged that the statements subjected her to "public ridicule, risk of physical injury," and death threats. She sought $1 billion in damages.

Judge Melinda Harmon tossed the suit in part under the state anti-SLAAP law, meant to thwart frivolous lawsuits filed over matters of protected speech. Although it's a state law, Harmon ruled that it can be applied to federal cases with parties in different jurisdictions. She also cited the Communications Decency Act, which dictates that website owners cannot be held liable for third-party comments. (Latiejira also must pay legal fees for the defense).

Harmon's order also cited a similar suit Latiejira filed in 1995 against an adult film producer who distributed a video called Amazing Black Sex Changes that featured Latiejira. An Indiana judge awarded Latiejira $2.5 million, but the judgment was vacated, and the parties settled out of court in 2011.

Read more: http://www.houstonpress.com/news/federal-judge-dismissed-ex-porn-starlets-libel-suit-against-mark-zuckerberg-9705657