Supreme Court Rejects Vic Mignogna’s Petition in Defamation Lawsuit

The Supreme Court of Texas has denied Vic Mignogna’s petition to review the defamation lawsuit ruling against him, involving Funimation and voice actresses Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial.

Supreme Court Rejects Vic Mignogna’s Petition in Defamation Lawsuit

The Supreme Court of Texas has denied voice actor Vic Mignogna’s petition to review the decision in his defamation lawsuit. Mignogna and his legal team had filed the petition on November 14, seeking a higher court review of the rulings against him in the lawsuit, which involved Funimation, voice actresses Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial, and Rial’s fiance Ron Toye. Despite the Tarrant County District Court and the Texas Second Court of Appeals ruling against Mignogna, his lawyers argued that the appeals court had disregarded established Texas law in its decision.

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In August, the Texas Second Court of Appeals upheld the Tarrant County District Court’s judgment from November 2019, which was unfavorable to Mignogna. However, the appeals court did find that the attorney’s fee amount initially awarded to Rial and Toye was not adequately supported by evidence. As a result, the court ordered the Tarrant County District Court to reassess the attorney’s fee awards that Mignogna would be required to pay. Apart from this adjustment, the appeals court rejected all other aspects of Mignogna’s appeal and upheld the trial court’s original ruling. Additionally, Mignogna was ordered to cover all costs associated with the appeal.

The court has yet to schedule a hearing to determine the new attorney’s fee amount.

Background of the Lawsuit and Allegations

The original lawsuit arose from multiple allegations of sexual harassment made against Mignogna throughout his career as a voice actor. These allegations reached a critical point in 2019 when Funimation terminated its working relationship with him. In response, Mignogna filed defamation lawsuits against Funimation, Jamie Marchi, Monica Rial, and Ron Toye. However, the court dismissed these lawsuits, ordering Mignogna to pay a total of $238,042.42 in attorneys’ fees and sanctions. Additionally, there were contingent fees of $287,500 that Mignogna might have been required to pay if he chose to appeal.

The trial court based its decision on the Texas Citizens Participation Act, a statute designed to prevent Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP). Throughout the lawsuit, various witnesses and alleged victims of Mignogna’s inappropriate behavior came forward, including voice actress Kara Edwards, underage convention attendees, convention staff, and industry professionals.

Mignogna has consistently maintained his innocence in relation to the allegations against him.