Judge Rules Against Coffeezilla in Defamation Case Filed by Logan Paul

A Texas magistrate judge has recommended that a federal judge deny Coffeezilla’s (Stephen Findeisen) motion to dismiss Logan Paul’s defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit stems from Coffeezilla’s critical videos and social media posts regarding Paul’s failed CryptoZoo NFT project.

Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad, in a March 26 filing, stated that Paul’s claims sufficiently allege defamatory statements, rejecting Coffeezilla’s argument that the comments were mere opinions. The judge found that Coffeezilla’s statements, including referring to Paul as a \”serial scammer\” and CryptoZoo as a \”scam\” and \”massive con,\” were capable of defamatory meaning.

Bemporad also dismissed Coffeezilla’s claim that disclaimers within his videos and social media posts mitigated the defamatory nature of his statements. The judge noted that these disclaimers were not prominently displayed and, even if they were, wouldn’t change the factual basis of Coffeezilla’s assertions.

Paul initially filed the lawsuit in June 2023, citing reputational damage caused by Coffeezilla’s videos. Coffeezilla had previously asked for an early judgment, but this request has now been recommended for denial. Paul and Findeisen have the opportunity to object to Bemporad’s report within 14 days.

This legal battle adds another layer to the ongoing saga surrounding CryptoZoo, which faced criticism and multiple lawsuits from investors who allege it was a fraudulent venture. Paul has since pledged refunds to investors and even filed a countersuit against business partners he blames for the project’s failure.

The outcome of this defamation case will have significant implications for both Paul and Coffeezilla, setting a precedent for future discussions about accountability and criticism within the cryptocurrency and influencer spaces. This decision underscores the legal challenges faced by content creators who delve into investigative journalism, particularly when dealing with prominent figures in the volatile cryptocurrency market.