Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Green v. CBS Inc.

Given that CBS accurately reported facts, albeit not all of the facts, whether or not the story painted the plaintiff in an attractive light is irrelevant.

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Appeal from the United States District Court For the Northern District of Texas

Plaintiffs-Appellants Mitzi Green and Jessica Green (collectively, the “Greens”) appeal the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Defendants-Appellees CBS Broadcasting Inc., 48 Hours, Dan Rather, Chuck Stevenson, Bill Lagattuta, and Susan Zirinsky (collectively, “CBS”). On appeal, we must decide whether the district court correctly determined that no genuine issue of material fact existed as to the Greens’ defamation or invasion of privacy claims.

CBS published and aired a story entitled “Lotto Town” in January 1998 on its weekly news magazine, 48 Hours, detailing the lives of forty-two lotto millionaires living in the small town of Roby, Texas. One of these lotto winners was Lance Green, Mitzi Green’s ex-husband. In the course of its one-hour broadcast, CBS showed how Lance’s life changed during the year following his lotto win. The story included, among other events, Lance’s divorce from Mitzi Green, his relationship with her daughter Jessica, and Mitzi Green’s charge that Lance had sexually abused Jessica. During the broadcast, Lance, the CBS correspondent Lagattuta, and other Roby residents made several statements referencing Mitzi. These include Lagattuta’s statement that Mitzi “wanted more money” from Lance after he won the lotto, and allegations by Lance that she used her daughter to get more money from him. At one point during the hour-long show, Lance and his lawyer expressed their opinion that Mitzi fabricated the sexual assault charges against Lance, and a Roby resident expressed his belief that Lance was innocent. The broadcast also showed Lance pointing out several pictures of Jessica taped to his refrigerator, while referring to her as his “daughter.”

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Multifamily Fall 2024
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers & financiers at THE MULTIFAMILY EVENT OF THE YEAR!


Learn More
California Legal Awards 2024
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Law.com celebrates the California law firms and legal departments driving the state's dynamic legal landscape.


Learn More
Texas Legal Awards 2024
October 15, 2024
Dallas, TX

The Texas Lawyer honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Texas.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Attorney/In-House General Counsel - Pennsylvania

The Insurance Adjustment Bureau, Inc., Plymouth Meeting, PA, a respected industry leader seeks an attorney with a minimum of 3-7 years exper...


Apply Now ›
Attorney

McDermott Law, LLC, a boutique Plaintiffs-focused firm located in the Denver Tech Center, has an opening for a full-time associate attorney....


Apply Now ›
Associate Attorney

Beitchman & Zekian, P.C. seeks a motivated and ambitious attorney with 2 to 4 years of civil and business litigation experience for its ...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs