Megan Thee Stallion Won Her Lawsuit, but a Judge Dismissed the Jury’s Ruling — Will Milagro Gramz Still Pay Her?
A jury recently sided with Megan Thee Stallion in her defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Milagro Gramz, or Milagro Cooper. During the trial, Megan testified that Cooper worked with Tory Lanez to defame, harass, and intimidate her. Lanez is currently serving out a ten-year sentence for shooting Megan. While the jury sided with Megan, the judge dismissed the verdict holding Cooper liable for defamation. How will this impact the damages Cooper owes Megan?
Megan Thee Stallion filed a defamation lawsuit against YouTuber Milagro Gramz
In 2020, Lanez shot Megan after leaving a party at Kylie Jenner’s house. A jury found him guilty of three felony charges, and he received a sentence of ten years in prison. The trial was controversial, with a number of people siding with Lanez.
In her lawsuit, Megan alleged that Cooper led a campaign against her online. Per Rolling Stone, she accused Cooper of working with Lanez to spread “vicious and hateful rumors” about her. She also accused Cooper of liking a fake, sexually explicit video of her online, then directing her followers to go view it.
A jury sided with Megan Thee Stallion in the defamation lawsuit
The jury ultimately sided with Megan in the trial and awarded her $75,000.
“We’re thankful for the jury’s commitment to reinforcing the importance of truth, accountability and responsible commentary on social media,” Megan’s attorney, Mari Henderson, said in a statement, per NBC News. “Not only is Milagro being held accountable for paying Megan compensatory and punitive damages, but Florida’s fee-shifting legal provision will require her to cover costs of Megan’s legal bills on the deepfake claim. This verdict sends a clear message that spreading dangerous misinformation carries significant consequences.”
Ultimately, though, U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga dismissed the defamation ruling. According to court documents, the plaintiff did not notify the media defendant with legal notice at least five days before filing her claim. This is required in Florida.
Altonaga upheld the two other counts of intentional infliction of emotional distress and promotion of an altered sexual depiction. As a result, the damages Cooper owes Megan decreased to $59,000.
“In sum, the jury’s Verdict supports entry of judgment for Plaintiff on her claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and promotion of an altered sexual depiction,” Judge Altonaga wrote. “Plaintiff is entitled to $59,000 in damages — the amount of compensatory and punitive damages by the jury on those two claims.”
As noted, Cooper is also required to cover Megan’s legal bills.
Milagro Cooper posted about the ruling
Following the verdict, Cooper admitted she has some regrets about the situation.
“Everything is a learning lesson in life, a regret?” she told CBS News Miami. “I hate that someone was hurt in the midst of me doing something I love.”
While the jury sided with Megan, Cooper doesn’t see the situation as a complete loss.
“For the jury to decide that it wasn’t a multimillion dollar settlement or fining – that is a win, absolutely!”
Her lawyers have also said they are happy with the result.
