Kevin O'Leary Wins Defamation Case, Crypto Influencer Ordered to Pay $2.8 Million
A federal judge in Florida has ruled in favor of Kevin O'Leary, the well-known 'Shark Tank' investor, in a defamation lawsuit against former crypto influencer Ben Armstrong. The court ordered Armstrong to pay $2.8 million in damages.
Background of the Case
In late March 2025, Armstrong posted a series of defamatory messages on X, accusing O'Leary and his wife of involvement in a 2019 boating accident that resulted in two deaths. O'Leary was a passenger and was never criminally charged, while his wife was acquitted after a 13-day trial.
Consequences of the Posts
The posts contained not only personal attacks but also shared O'Leary’s private phone number, encouraging followers to harass him. This led to Armstrong’s account being suspended for 12 hours by the platform.
- O'Leary’s wife was previously charged with negligent boat operation but was found not guilty.
- The court ruled that Armstrong’s claims were baseless and constituted serious defamation.
This case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of online defamation, especially when targeting public figures.