Haynes and Boone, LLP successfully defended Fox News Network, LLC in a defamation lawsuit, securing both a dismissal with prejudice and compensation for Fox News.
The case, Garcia v. Fox News Network, LLC et al., filed in the 455th District Court of Travis County, Texas, alleged that Fox News and other outlets had published a photograph of the plaintiff, Mauricio Garcia, in connection with the Allen Outlet Mall shooting. The shooter’s name was also Mauricio Garcia.
Haynes Boone filed a Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA) Motion to Dismiss, arguing Fox News never published the image, and Garcia’s case relied solely on unverified TikTok posts. The day before the hearing on the motion, Garcia dismissed the case, compensating Fox for having to defend against this meritless claim.
The settlement also included a public statement from Garcia’s attorney, which read, “My client Mauricio Garcia has voluntarily dismissed his claims against Fox News with prejudice. I acknowledge the lawsuit should never have been filed against Fox News, and we are compensating Fox News for its trouble in defending against this claim. In turn, Fox News is foregoing pursuing sanctions. Contrary to my prior public statements, Fox News did not ignore basic journalistic precautions and did have proper institutional guardrails in place with respect to its coverage of the Allen, TX shooting.”
Haynes Boone Media and Entertainment Chair Laura Prather led the defense team with support from Counsels Catherine Robb and Jason Whitney along with Associate Reid Pillifant.
The Haynes Boone Media and Entertainment Practice Group is nationally ranked by Chambers USA. With offices across the world, Haynes Boone offers a full range of litigation, counseling and advocacy services in all aspects of media and entertainment law nationwide. The firm also supports clients with a broad array of services in connection with media, intellectual property, cybersecurity, data privacy and related issues. Haynes Boone’s expertise includes libel, newsgathering torts, Anti-SLAPP, invasion of privacy, copyright, trademark, theft of idea, right of publicity matters, data privacy and security, AI-related issues, advertising and promotions laws and public information matters.
The case, Garcia v. Fox News Network, LLC et al., filed in the 455th District Court of Travis County, Texas, alleged that Fox News and other outlets had published a photograph of the plaintiff, Mauricio Garcia, in connection with the Allen Outlet Mall shooting. The shooter’s name was also Mauricio Garcia.
Haynes Boone filed a Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA) Motion to Dismiss, arguing Fox News never published the image, and Garcia’s case relied solely on unverified TikTok posts. The day before the hearing on the motion, Garcia dismissed the case, compensating Fox for having to defend against this meritless claim.
The settlement also included a public statement from Garcia’s attorney, which read, “My client Mauricio Garcia has voluntarily dismissed his claims against Fox News with prejudice. I acknowledge the lawsuit should never have been filed against Fox News, and we are compensating Fox News for its trouble in defending against this claim. In turn, Fox News is foregoing pursuing sanctions. Contrary to my prior public statements, Fox News did not ignore basic journalistic precautions and did have proper institutional guardrails in place with respect to its coverage of the Allen, TX shooting.”
Haynes Boone Media and Entertainment Chair Laura Prather led the defense team with support from Counsels Catherine Robb and Jason Whitney along with Associate Reid Pillifant.
The Haynes Boone Media and Entertainment Practice Group is nationally ranked by Chambers USA. With offices across the world, Haynes Boone offers a full range of litigation, counseling and advocacy services in all aspects of media and entertainment law nationwide. The firm also supports clients with a broad array of services in connection with media, intellectual property, cybersecurity, data privacy and related issues. Haynes Boone’s expertise includes libel, newsgathering torts, Anti-SLAPP, invasion of privacy, copyright, trademark, theft of idea, right of publicity matters, data privacy and security, AI-related issues, advertising and promotions laws and public information matters.
