Rebel Wilson defamation payout after battle with Bauer Media
ACTOR Rebel Wilson has been awarded Australia’s highest-ever defamation payout in her legal battle against Bauer Media.
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HOLLYWOOD star Rebel Wilson says she is grateful for her record defamation payout, but has not yet clarified which charities she will donate to or how much money she will give.
Wilson was awarded Australia’s highest ever defamation payout — more than $4.5 million — after her successful legal battle against Bauer Media.
Supreme Court judge Justice John Dixon said the extent of Wilson’s defamation was “unprecedented” in this country and warranted substantial damages.
Wilson pledged to donate every cent to charity and the Aussie film industry after her trial.
Several hours after the decision, Wilson said she was grateful for the ruling in a series of tweets.
“Justice Dixon has awarded me a record sum and I’m extremely grateful for that. It is 4 times the Australian record,” she tweeted.
“To me though, this case wasn’t about the money.
“I’m looking forward to helping out some great Australian charities and supporting the Oz film industry with the damages I’ve received.”
“Also looking forward to getting back to my career and entertaining everyone!”
Thank you again for the love and support! I am humbled x
— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) September 13, 2017
Her lawyers told the court that before the trial Wilson had offered to settle for $200,000 over a series of defamatory articles in published in Woman’s Day, Australian Women’s Weekly, New Weekly and OK!
The jury found the articles unfairly painted her as a serial liar who had faked her way to a Hollywood career.
Justice Dixon was scathing of Bauer’s “campaign” against Rebel to pursue its own corporate objectives.
It is the highest defamation payout in Australian legal history.
Wilson was not in court to hear the judgment, but said on Twitter that she would make a statement later in the day.
Bauer General Counsel Adrian Goss said his client was considering the judgement.
“Bauer media has a long history of delivering great stories to our readers and we have a reputation for developing some of the best editorial teams in this country,” Mr Goss said.
“This is what we are focused on. it is about continuing to do what we do best and that is delivering great content.”
Wilson, 37, had claimed more than $7 million in damages after a jury found she was maliciously defamed by four Bauer publications.
She has vowed to donate any damages awarded to her to charity.
“Any $’s (sic) I receive will go to charity, scholarships or invested into the Aussie film industry to provide jobs,” she said after the jury returned their verdict.
“I take being a role model very seriously x.”
Wilson claimed she was sacked from two films — Trolls and Kung Fu Panda 3 — and unable to land any more work due to the articles.
Wilson said she had wanted to stand up to “bullies” Bauer Media and their publications.
“Far too often I feel that their conduct can only be described as disgusting and as disgraceful,” Wilson said after the trial.
“I’m glad, very glad, that the jury has agreed with me. And by the unanimous and overwhelming verdict, they have sent a very clear message.
“It really saddened me that a lot of people believed these articles. It’s good now that the records set straight and that the stain has disappeared.
“Hopefully my career will go from strength to strength from now on.”
Dr Matthew Collins, QC, for Wilson, argued her $7 million damages claim was particularly conservative.
“A star like Rebel Wilson ... a multimillion-dollar actress ... could reasonably expect not to have had the hiatus in her career that the evidence establishes she had,” he said.
Wilson revealed during the trial that she was related to Walt Disney.
She said she enjoyed private access to Disneyland as a child, and is now part of a members-only secret club at the Californian theme park.
“Most people wouldn’t know it exists,” she said. She said she had always been told her great-aunt was the same Lilian Bounds who married the legendary cartoonist.
Her family later changed the spelling of their surname, she said.
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