Former professional baseball and football player Bo Jackson, renowned for his illustrious career as a Heisman Trophy-winning running back at Auburn, has emerged victorious in a civil case against his niece and nephew. This legal battle centered around allegations of attempted extortion by Jackson’s relatives, leading to a significant $21 million verdict in his favor. The court’s decision, delivered last Friday, also included a permanent protective order against the defendants, Thomas Lee Anderson and Erica M. Anderson Ross, barring them from further contact with Jackson and his immediate family. News outlets reported that the Andersons are required to stay at least 500 yards away from the Jacksons and remove any content about them from social media.
The lawsuit, which Jackson filed in April, detailed the relentless harassment and intimidation he endured at the hands of his relatives. Their alleged motive was an attempt to extort $20 million from Jackson. The distressing ordeal reportedly began in 2022, with the Andersons resorting to various means to torment the former athlete. Threatening social media posts and messages, along with public allegations that misrepresented Jackson and the public disclosure of his private information, were cited as forms of harassment. According to WSB-TV, Thomas Anderson even went as far as to threaten releasing photographs, text, and medical records of Jackson on Facebook to prove his seriousness.
With the assistance of an attorney based in Atlanta, the Andersons demanded the aforementioned sum from Jackson as a means to halt their malicious conduct. They allegedly used the threat of disrupting a charity event Jackson hosted in Auburn, as well as appearing at a restaurant near his home, to further intimidate him. The lawsuit revealed that Jackson and his immediate family felt fear for their safety in the face of these threats. Seeking justice for this distressing situation, Jackson requested not only a stalking protective order against the Andersons but also compensation for intentional infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. Additionally, the former athlete brought a civil conspiracy claim against his niece and nephew.
After assessing the evidence presented, Cobb County Superior Court Judge Jason D. Marbutt concluded that the Andersons’ behavior was extreme and outrageous. The judge found no legitimate purpose for their actions and highlighted the fact that even after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Jackson’s attorneys, the harassment persisted. The Andersons and their legal representation failed to respond to Jackson’s claims or actively participate in the case after a May 2023 hearing, leading to a default judgment. Accepting all of Jackson’s allegations as true, the court ruled in his favor, issuing the $21 million verdict.
Bo Jackson, a legendary figure in both baseball and football, triumphed not only on the field but also in the courtroom. The $21 million verdict, coupled with the permanent protective order, serves as a testament to the severity of the Andersons’ actions and the emotional distress they caused Jackson and his immediate family. This legal victory reinforces the importance of standing up against harassment, intimidation, and extortion. Despite the torment he endured, Bo Jackson proved that he still possesses the tenacity and resilience he exhibited throughout his prolific athletic career.
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