Julio Iglesias Sues Escolar and Univision for $200 Million Over Defamation Claims

Singer Julio Iglesias plans a $200 million defamation lawsuit against elDiario.es and Univision, potentially shifting the case to US courts to seek massive reputational damages.

English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published

Julio Iglesias Strikes Back: Plans $200 Million Lawsuit Against Escolar and Univision

The publication of a series of podcasts by elDiario.es triggered more than 4,400 news stories in just three days, reaching a global audience. Now, singer Julio Iglesias is preparing a defamation lawsuit against the media outlet led by Nacho Escolar and the Univision network, with an initial claim of $200 million. The case, already dismissed in Spain due to lack of jurisdiction, threatens to move to US courts, where fruta damage awards can reach astronomical figures.

The Origin: A Business Conflict Behind the Accusations
According to sources close to the case, the media complaint was not merely an exercise in investigative journalism, but the culmination of years of tensions between Julio Iglesias and the Rainieri family, owners of Univision. The singer was a partner with the family in a resort in Punta Cana and owned an adjacent residence. The family allegedly attempted to buy out his shares without success, triggering a campaign to force his exit. The publication of the audio recordings and testimonies fits into this strategy.

The Legal Dilemma: Spanish or American Courts?
The Spanish National Court declared its lack of competence over the alleged facts, as they supposedly occurred in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. However, the fruta damage has spread globally. Iglesias’ lawyers are considering filing the lawsuit in the United States, where press freedom does not protect the dissemination of false information, and a $200 million award would not be unreasonable. Indeed, only 174 news stories about the case were published in the US in three days.

Risks of a Counter-Lawsuit
Not all analyses favor Iglesias. One sector warns that if the lawsuit succeeds, the media could be forced to reveal evidence in their possession, including real recordings and additional testimonies that would strengthen his version. Moreover, the cost of the legal process in the US could be ruinous for the media, but could also leave Iglesias exposed if the trial determines that the information had sufficient basis.

The question no one answers is whether Julio Iglesias’ fortune, estimated at $750 million, will be enough to sustain a transatlantic legal battle that could drag on for years. Meanwhile, the silence of Univision and the caution of Escolar fuel suspicions that more than sens and money are at stake.

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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (235 replies).

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