Federal judge Cecilia M. Altonaga has reversed her previous decision to set aside Megan Thee Stallion‘s defamation victory against blogger Milagro Gramz. The ruling, issued on May 29, confirms that the artist remains entitled to the damages previously awarded by a jury.
The legal dispute centered on defamatory statements made by Gramz regarding the rapper. While the court had initially dismissed the verdict on procedural grounds—citing a failure to provide pre-suit notice—the judge has now clarified that such protections are intended for legitimate journalists, not those acting as paid agents for third parties.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Gramz had been commissioned by Tory Lanez and his father to disseminate false information to damage the reputation of Megan Thee Stallion. Consequently, the court determined that the defendant was disqualified from the procedural protections typically afforded to the press.
“Because the trial record shows that defendant was commissioned by the Petersons to publish or broadcast the three defamatory statements, the court finds as a matter of law that defendant was not entitled to pre-suit notice,” the judge noted.
Following the decision, Megan Thee Stallion expressed her relief in a statement reported by Rolling Stone. “I’m truly grateful for the judge’s thoughtful and thorough consideration in reinstating the jury’s defamation verdict and holding the defendant fully accountable for all of her actions. I’m ready to finally close this chapter, and I hope this sends a powerful message that spreading lies and defamatory statements has clear consequences.”
As a result of the ruling, Gramz is now required to pay the full $75,000 in damages originally awarded to the artist.
