January 20, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Judge Orders Attorney For Deceased Man Who Defamed James Woods

A judge Tuesday ordered the onetime attorney for a now- deceased man who allegedly defamed actor James Woods on Twitter to reveal the true name of his former client, who to this point has been referred to in court papers only by aliases.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Joseph Kalin also directed lawyer Kenneth White to identify the heirs of the defendant, the personal representative of the man’s estate and where he died. He directed that the information be given to Woods’ lawyers within 10 days.

Woods’ lawyers said after the hearing that while they are not conceding that the defendant — identified in court papers only as “Abe List” and “AL” — actually died in August as they have been told, they can research whether the estate has any assets once they obtain his name.

White told the judge the estate would not contest the suit because there are few assets left. He also said he was obligated to force Woods’ lawyers to bring a motion and let a judge decide whether his former client’s identity should be revealed. He said to do so simply upon an informal request would possibly violate the attorney-client privilege, be an invasion of Abe List’s privacy and subject the personal representative to harassment on Twitter by Woods, who White said has about 450,000 followers.

Lawyer Michael Weinsten, on behalf of Woods, said the actor has “sat silent” and will not be bothering anyone.

“My client has not sent out a tweet since the case began,” Weinsten said. “He has no intention of harassing the family.”

White refused to answer questions about Abe List’s name and the circumstances of his client’s death when the lawyer was deposed on Nov. 14, according to court papers filed by Woods’ attorneys, who argued that Abe List lost his right to privacy when and if he died.

Woods filed suit against the defendant in July 2015. The actor says the defendant’s allegations on Twitter that he uses cocaine and is a sex offender are false and have hurt his reputation, built during a 45-year Hollywood career.

“I have not now, nor have ever been, a coke fiend or cocaine addict,” the Oscar-nominated actor says in a sworn declaration. “In fact, I have never done cocaine. I am also not, and have never been, a registered sex offender.”

Woods, 69, says the false statements have “jeopardized my good name and reputation on an international scale.”

The defendant’s attorneys argued in a motion to dismiss the case that Woods’ lawsuit is “a petulant abuse of the judicial system to punish and suppress speech that upsets him.” Judge Mel Red Recana denied the motion and a defense appeal of the ruling was later dropped after the defendant died.

 

465988507

Related Posts

Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory Issued for Los Angeles County Amid Strong Santa Ana Windstorm

January 19, 2025

January 19, 2025

Public Health Warns of Poor Air Quality, Health Risks as Winds Stir Pollutants From Burn Scars The Los Angeles County...

Red Flag Warning: Santa Ana Winds and Extreme Fire Danger Again Predicted This Week

January 19, 2025

January 19, 2025

Winds Up to 100 MPH Expected; Residents Urged to Prepare for Critical Fire Weather  The National Weather Service has issued...

LAFD’s Repopulation in Brentwood and West LA is Complete as Wildfire Evacuation Orders Ease

January 17, 2025

January 17, 2025

Residents in Brentwood, West LA Granted Reentry; Power Restoration Efforts Underway Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) officials’ repopulation efforts are...

Santa Monica Police Seek Inglewood-Based Suspect in Fatal Shooting

January 17, 2025

January 17, 2025

Fabian Mendez, Considered Armed and Dangerous, Remains at Large The Santa Monica Police Department has an update on the case...

Join the Heart of the Hills Donation Drive to Support Fire Evacuees and First Responders

January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

Beverly Hills Rotary Hosts Event To Collect Essential Supplies for Wildfire Relief The Beverly Hills Rotary Club will host the...

LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund Launches with $12M to Support Artists Impacted by Wildfires

January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

Getty Trust, Philanthropists Unite to Aid Artists, Arts Workers, Devastated by Los Angeles Fires. A coalition of arts organizations and...

LADWP Refutes Fire Hydrant Misinformation During Palisades Fire’s Unprecedented Demand for Water

January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

Utility Addresses Online Claims, Confirms Water Systems Remained Operational The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)  is seeking...

Brentwood Evacuation Update: Residents East of Kenter Canyon Cleared to Return Home

January 16, 2025

January 16, 2025

Proof of Residency Required; Areas West of Kenter Remain Under Evacuation Orders Senior Lead Officer Matthew Kirk announced in an...

LA Restaurants Step Up: Feeding First Responders, Evacuees, and Communities in Need

January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

From Free Meals To Fundraising Campaigns, Local Eateries Are Supporting Wildfire Relief  Many restaurants all over the city are doing...

Los Angeles Restaurants Rally to Feed Fire Victims, First Responders—Now They Need Your Support

January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

Amid Tragedy, Local Restaurants Are Serving the Community While Facing Empty Seats By Dolores Quintana The city of Los Angeles...

Palisades Fire Incident Update for January 15, Nine Lives Lost, Evacuation Zone Unsafe for Residents

January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

Firefighters Continue Suppression Efforts, Damage Assessments Reveal Significant Destruction. The Palisades Fire, which has scorched 23,713 acres, is now 21%...

State Farm Reverses Decision, To Renew Policies for Wildfire Survivors in Los Angeles

January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

California Homeowners Impacted by Recent Wildfires Will Receive Policy Renewals State Farm, California’s largest insurer, has announced it will renew...

(Video) At Vistamar School – Discover the way high school should be

January 15, 2025

January 15, 2025

Students achieve remarkable outcomes with our strong academics, small classes, andpersonalized approach. Our graduates don’t just attend college—they excel. Vistamar’sunique...

WeHo Deputies Detain Suspected Looting Suspect Posing as Firefighter Near Getty Villa

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

Deputies Apprehend Man Dressed in Firefighter Gear Without Proper Identification   West Hollywood Sheriff’s deputies detained a potential looting suspect impersonating...

Mayor Bass Updates Emergency Order to Accelerate Wildfire Recovery in Los Angeles

January 14, 2025

January 14, 2025

RVs Approved as Temporary Housing; Streamlined Permitting and Task Forces Approved Mayor Karen Bass has updated the executive order of...