Erin Andrews Gets $55M for Depression, Moral Damages Over Nude Video
A jury from the Davidson County Circuit Court in Tennessee awarded FOX Sports broadcaster and "Dancing with the Stars" host Erin Andrews $55 million. It stems from the nude video lawsuit she filed against her stalker and two hotel companies.
"I've been honored by all the support from victims around the world. Their outreach has helped me be able to stand up and hold accountable those whose job it is to protect everyone's safety, security and privacy," Andrews said in a statement.
Judge Hamilton Gayden found Andrews' stalker, Michael David Barrett, guilty and sentenced him to 27 months in prison. However, Gayden left the decision regarding the West End Hotel Partners and Windsor Capital Group to the jury.
Andrews revealed that she suffered from depression after the release of her nude videos to the public. Her parents told the jurors the mental anguish they felt about their daughter's video as well as not knowing who took it and if someone was still stalking her.
Nude Video Lawsuit
Back in 2009, Barrett posted videos of Andrews appearing totally nude online that quickly went viral. He filmed her through peepholes while they were both staying at the Nashville Marriott Hotel in 2008. The FBI intervened, leading to the stalker's arrest. Barret was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Barrett was also given three years of probation, a $5,000 fine and was instructed to give $7,366 for compensation. However, Andrews filed a lawsuit complaint seeking for $75 million in damages against her stalker, Marriott Hotel and its former operators on Oct. 1, 2015.
The 37-year-old broke down in tears during the trial. She said that despite Barrett's imprisonment, she continues to suffer as people still post her nude videos on her social media accounts. The hotels' attorneys argued that Barrett was solely responsible for the video.
The stalker said that she chose to record Andrews because she was very popular at the time. He added that he posted the videos online because TMZ refused to buy the tape from him.
Will She Get All $55 Million?
The jury decided that 51 percent of the $55 million will be shouldered by Barrett, but it is very obvious that the 54-year-old does not have the capability to pay $28 million. Barrett was an insurance executive before being jailed in 2010 but his attorney revealed that his client lost all his life savings.
On the other hand, the two hotel companies will share the remaining 49 percent or close to $27 million. It is unknown whether insurance will cover the damages or if both companies will file for bankruptcy. There is also a possibility that the hotels will negotiate an out-of-court settlement with Andrews to take less money.
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