Defamation suit against Cowboys' Jerry Jones tossed again - ESPN

For the second time, a federal judge has tossed out defamation claims filed against Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and several associates by a woman who says she is the billionaire's daughter.

Federal Judge Robert W. Schroeder III on Wednesday dismissed the lawsuit filed by Alexandra Davis «with prejudice,» meaning the case cannot be filed again. Schroeder initially tossed the case last October, and Davis' attorneys refiled it in November.

Davis, a 27-year-old congressional aide, originally sued Jones in March 2022 to seek recognition as his biological daughter, a matter that is still pending. The separate defamation case, filed that same month, named as defendants Jones; his longtime personal lawyer, Donald P. Jack; and Jim Wilkinson, a communications consultant for the Jones family.

In his latest order, Schroeder noted that statements made by the defendants about Davis were essentially true, citing messages that «clearly show that Plaintiff requested money from Jones in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.»

«Based on these facts alone, or viewed in combination with all the communications within their possession, it is not plausible that Defendants acted with actual malice in characterizing Plaintiff's actions as a 'shakedown attempt' that was motivated by money,» the judge wrote in his 17-page order.

Wilkinson said he and Jones would have no immediate comment on the judge's ruling. Jack could not be reached. Davis' attorneys, Andrew Bergman and Jay Gray, released a statement saying they were «disappointed in the ruling and intend to appeal.»

Davis' defamation claim last year accused Jones and his representatives of waging a public campaign that attacked her character «based knowingly on false statements and accusations.» It