Kevin O’Leary, the sharp-tongued investor known from television, has secured a significant legal victory, awarded nearly three million dollars in a defamation lawsuit. The case stemmed from a series of damaging and false accusations leveled against him by a cryptocurrency influencer.
Ben “BitBoy” Armstrong publicly accused O’Leary of involvement in a fatal boating accident, going so far as to allege murder and a subsequent cover-up involving millions of dollars. The accusations, posted on social media, were particularly egregious, including the public release of O’Leary’s private cell phone number.
A judge’s ruling detailed how Armstrong encouraged others to harass O’Leary, urging followers to “call a real life murderer.” This direct call to action ignited a wave of unwanted contact and threats, profoundly impacting both O’Leary’s professional and personal life.
The court entered a default judgment against Armstrong after he failed to mount a substantive defense to the lawsuit. This lack of response allowed the damaging claims to stand unchallenged, solidifying the case against the influencer.
The judge noted the substantial harm caused by Armstrong’s actions, forcing O’Leary to increase his personal security and address concerns from business associates regarding the false allegations. The ordeal reopened deep wounds for O’Leary and his family.
The accusations centered around a tragic 2019 boating accident on Lake Joseph in Canada. The collision between two boats resulted in the deaths of Gary Poltash, a 64-year-old retiree, and Suzana Brito, a 48-year-old mother of three.
While Kevin O’Leary was never criminally charged, his wife, Linda, initially faced charges of careless operation of a vessel. After a lengthy four-week trial in 2021, she was ultimately exonerated, though the incident continued to generate legal battles and settlements.
The accident itself was a devastating event. O’Leary’s boat collided with another vessel carrying twelve passengers, resulting in immediate trauma and, ultimately, two fatalities. The impact reverberated through both families and the community.
The judge awarded O’Leary approximately $78,000 for reputational damage, $750,000 for the mental anguish caused by Armstrong’s statements, and a substantial $2 million in punitive damages. This significant sum underscores the severity of the defamation.
Armstrong attempted to excuse his failure to respond to the lawsuit by citing mental health struggles, but the judge rejected this explanation. The court found his inaction unacceptable given the gravity of the accusations and the resulting harm.
O’Leary stated that Armstrong’s false claims had resurrected painful memories for his family, who had believed they were beginning to heal from the trauma of the accident. The influencer’s actions effectively reopened old wounds and prolonged their suffering.
