Florida judge denies jurisdiction in defamation suit by producer against former Spice Girls singer
A U.S. District Judge in Florida concluded the court cannot exercise personal jurisdiction over Melanie J. Brown in Stephen Belafonte's defamation action.
In Belafonte v. Brown, producer Stephen Belafonte claims former Spice Girls member Melanie J. Brown defamed him through a memoir, television interviews and Instagram posts, alleging 41 false statements of abuse. The complaint asserts the defamatory material was published and viewed in Florida, where the couple’s daughter lives. Judge Darrin Gayles evaluated the due-process jurisdiction test, focusing on whether Brown’s conduct was intentionally aimed at Florida and caused foreseeable harm there.
The court determined Brown’s nationwide and international communications did not demonstrate purposeful availment of Florida’s forum. Without a showing that she directed the statements at Florida residents or the plaintiff within the state, the judge ruled the court lacks specific personal jurisdiction and dismissed the claim.
Why it matters
The ruling clarifies limits on state courts' power to sue nonresident celebrities for online defamation.
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