Skip navigation

Judge tosses businessman’s suit against ‘Borat’

Cohen’s character chased man down Fifth Avenue, trying to hug him

Image: Borat
It’s happy time for Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Borat.” A judge has tossed out the defamation lawsuit filed by a businessman against the film. In the film, Borat chases the man, trying to give him a hug.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images file
  Movie video
  Does Penelope Cruz karaoke?
Dec. 4: Penelope Cruz chats with Access' Maria Menounos about working on her new film, "Nine," and how she kept doing take after take to perfect her routine. Plus, does Penelope rock out on a karaoke machine?

Slideshow
Image: Avatar
  December movies
James Cameron’s spectacle “Avatar” hits theaters, along with George Clooney, who is “Up in the Air,” and Robert Downey Jr. as “Sherlock Holmes.”

more photos

updated 2:01 p.m. ET April 2, 2008

NEW YORK - 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.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

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.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored links

Resource guide