LOS ANGELES—In a definitive legal victory for Nikki Benz, the Los Angeles Superior Court has ruled in her favor, dismissing Lisa Ann’s application for a temporary restraining order. This ruling comes after the court granted Benz’s anti-SLAPP motion, effectively ending Lisa Ann’s attempt to legally restrain Nikki Benz amidst a publicized dispute.
The legal action initiated by Lisa Ann against Nikki Benz stemmed from a series of heated exchanges on Twitter earlier this year, specifically around February 13th. This “Twitter War” between Lisa Ann and Nikki Benz, both prominent figures in the adult entertainment industry, quickly garnered media attention, including coverage from outlets like TMZ. The public nature of the feud amplified interest in the unfolding drama between Lisa Ann and Nikki Benz.
Nikki Benz Prevails in Lisa Ann Harassment Case Against Her
Nikki Benz responded to Lisa Ann’s restraining order application with an anti-SLAPP motion, arguing that Lisa Ann’s claims were baseless and lacked evidentiary support. The court hearing on Monday sided with Nikki Benz, granting her motion in full. Lisa Ann, recognized for her role as Sarah Palin in the Nailin’ Paylin series and her prior career in the adult film industry before retiring last year, found her legal efforts thwarted by Nikki Benz’s counter-motion. Nikki Benz, a Penthouse Pet of the Year and known for making headlines with a mock mayoral run suggestion in Toronto, successfully defended herself against Lisa Ann’s allegations.
Judge John L. Segal of the Los Angeles Superior Court, in his ruling favoring Nikki Benz, determined that nothing Nikki Benz had tweeted or stated about Lisa Ann, including comments made at an awards show in January 2015, constituted actionable harassment. The court stated that Lisa Ann “failed to submit sufficient evidence to demonstrate her petition has the minimal merit,” effectively dismantling Lisa Ann’s case against Nikki Benz.
The origin of the conflict between Lisa Ann and Nikki Benz can be traced back to December 21, 2014, when Nikki Benz publicly challenged Lisa Ann to a charity boxing match via Twitter. This initial tweet was followed by further online exchanges where Nikki Benz asserted that Lisa Ann had “next to zero friends left in this industry” and used derogatory terms. In response, Lisa Ann claimed to have received numerous threatening anonymous phone calls and voicemails, including one particularly disturbing message stating, “I’m going to fucking kill you! I know exactly who you are … I know who you are!”
Lisa Ann alleged that these calls, which included threats and personal information being divulged, were especially concerning as she believed only a limited number of people had her home phone number, one of whom was a security guard purportedly associated with Nikki Benz. Further escalating the situation, Lisa Ann reported receiving similar menacing calls on her cell phone, during one of which the caller allegedly recited her social security number, driver’s license details, and threatened violence. Lisa Ann also accused Nikki Benz of heckling her at an event and directing “menacing looks” towards her.
Following these incidents, Lisa Ann sought a temporary restraining order against Nikki Benz, citing civil harassment. However, within two weeks, Nikki Benz filed an anti-SLAPP motion, challenging the legal basis of Lisa Ann’s TRO. An anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) motion, under California law, is designed to protect individuals from lawsuits aimed at suppressing free speech. Nikki Benz’s legal team effectively argued that Lisa Ann’s TRO was such a case, leading to the court’s decision.
After Judge Segal’s thorough examination of the claims and counterclaims from both Lisa Ann and Nikki Benz, he concluded that Lisa Ann’s allegations did not amount to a credible threat that legally constituted harassment. This ruling marks a significant win for Nikki Benz in the legal dispute with Lisa Ann.
In a press release following the court’s decision, Nikki Benz expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. “I am thrilled that the Court has thrown out Lisa Ann’s frivolous case for supposed harassment against me,” Nikki Benz stated. She further indicated her intention to pursue Lisa Ann for damages resulting from the legal action. Nikki Benz also thanked her supporters within the adult industry for their backing during the legal proceedings against Lisa Ann.
Stephen M. Kernan, Nikki Benz’s attorney, commented on the broader implications of the case, highlighting the intersection of First Amendment rights, publicity, and social media. He suggested that allowing harassment cases to proceed based on “Twitter wars” without substantial evidence would overwhelm the courts. Kernan emphasized the necessity for evidence in genuine harassment cases, as opposed to “manufactured theories.” He confirmed that Lisa Ann would be required to cover Nikki Benz’s attorney fees, and a motion for these fees would be filed.
AVN has reached out to legal representatives for both Lisa Ann and Nikki Benz for additional comments and will report any further statements as they become available.
