Kevin O’Leary won a $2,828,000 judgment against crypto influencer Ben Armstrong in a federal court in Florida. Judge Beth Bloom issued a default judgment after Armstrong failed to present a meaningful legal defense.
The award is divided into $2,000,000 in punitive damages, $750,000 for emotional distress, and $78,000 for reputational harm. The majority corresponds to punitive damages for the false murder allegations and public harassment.
The case arose from Armstrong’s posts on X and LinkedIn, in which he accused him and his wife, Linda, of covering up a 2019 boating accident in Ontario that resulted in two deaths. Armstrong also published O’Leary’s personal phone number and urged his followers to harass him, prompting a temporary suspension of his X account.
Armstrong attempted to overturn the ruling, citing mental health issues and prior incarceration, but the judge denied his request. His complex financial situation could prevent O’Leary from collecting the full amount, as Armstrong was reportedly near insolvency and many of his crypto wallets were depleted.
Source: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69798755/37/oleary-v-armstrong/
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