Marilyn Manson faces a significant financial setback as he is ordered to pay nearly $500K to Evan Rachel Wood and Illma Gore in a recent legal decision.
Manson, legally known as Brian Warner, has been hit with a hefty bill totaling $496,364 in legal fees following the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against Wood and Gore. This payment comes as a result of a California anti-SLAPP statute, which protects individuals from being unjustly sued for exercising their free speech rights.
Last month, The Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled that Manson must pay Wood $326,956 to cover her legal expenses incurred while defending against his claims. Judge Teresa A. Beaudet approved the payment, reducing it from the nearly $388,000 initially requested by Wood after Manson’s legal team argued some billed hours were too vague.
The Defamation Case Background
In 2022, the singer filed a defamation lawsuit against Wood and Gore, citing allegations of domestic abuse and sexual assault made against him. However, a California judge found Manson’s claims unconvincing, leading to the dismissal of the defamation charges. Despite this, some allegations, including accusations of hacking and a swatting attempt, still stand in the ongoing lawsuit.
Wood has been openly critical of Manson since 2021, accusing him of severe physical abuse and sexual assault during their relationship. Wood’s call for other women to come forward led to over a dozen allegations against Manson, although one accuser later recanted, claiming Wood pressured her into making the claim.
Despite the dismissal of several claims, Manson’s legal challenges are not over. His lawsuit accusing Wood and Gore of conspiring to damage his career, including unresolved allegations of hacking and a swatting incident, is set for trial on May 1.
