"Borat" Lawsuit Dismissed By Judge: It Was Journalism

A judge has tossed out a defamation lawsuit brought by a businessman shown in the movie "Borat" as he is chased down Manhattan's Fifth Avenue by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.

Federal Judge Loretta Preska says the term "newsworthy" -- defined in its most liberal and far reaching terms -- can be applied to the 2006 hit movie.

The lawsuit had sought unspecified damages for Jeffrey Lemerond, a Dartmouth College graduate and financial analyst.

Messages for comment left with lawyers on both sides were not immediately returned Wednesday.

In the movie, Lemerond is shown running and yelling "Go away!" as Cohen's character, a phony Kazakhstan journalist, chases him in an attempt to hug strangers.

The judge concedes that the movie employs a brand of humor that appeals to the most childish and vulgar in its viewers. But she says it also attempts an ironic commentary.

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Plus: Watch as Sacha Baron Cohen is caught on tape filming new movie "Bruno"

Comments

[Counterglow]

Good grief! THAT was worthy of a lawsuit? If some of the people on Rick Mercer's "Talking To Americans" specials ever got wind of how they look, there'd be another invasion!

If I remember correctly, he had a Harvard professor on-side to help Canada out with the Global Warming problem because the igloos we used for Parliament were melting.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

I'm channeling Bill Maher. NEW RULE: no one can ever post the picture of that guy in that thong ever again.

[josephjsalas]

YYeeaahh! The McCain Borat Ticket!

[Mort]

Vindicated and back in the spotlight. Feel better now, Sasha? I know it was getting lonely for awhile.

[Bobaloo]

only in the U S and A in the glorious republic they would feed this douche bag to the pigs

[wadenelson1]

Only in America do people hire lawyers because a comedian made them look stupid.

[TheHandyman]

No matter how many names you use, it is still the same stupid remarks!