WEST PALM BEACH — A Florida jury has awarded 85-year-old golf legend Jack Nicklaus $50 million in a defamation lawsuit against his former company.
The Palm Beach County jury on Oct. 20 found that the Nicklaus Cos. actively participated in the false publishing of facts that damaged Nicklaus' reputation and exposed him to "ridicule, hatred, mistrust, distrust or contempt."
The six-person panel also ruled in favor of billionaire banker Howard Milstein, the executive chairman of the Nicklaus Cos., and Nicklaus Cos. executive Andrew O'Brien, both of whom were named individually in the defamation lawsuit.
That portion of the verdict means Milstein and O'Brien are not required to pay Nicklaus damages as well.
Attorneys for all parties presented their closing arguments Oct. 20, and jurors deliberated for about four-and-a-half hours, returning to the courtroom shortly before 6:30 p.m. to announce their verdict.
