Sacha Baron Cohen Asks For Dismissal Of Roy Moore Lawsuit

MONTGOMERY, AL — Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen is asking a judge to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed against him by former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. The lawsuit stems from a segment Cohen broadcast on his show “Who is America?” in 2018.

Moore is seeking $95 million in damages for the alleged defamatory action.

Lawyers for Cohen, Showtime Networks and CBS wrote last week in a court filing that Moore signed an agreement waiving all legal claims before appearing on the segment, according to an Associated Press report. They also said the segment was satire and is protected under the First Amendment.

Moore argued the waiver was fraudulently obtained because it did not disclose he was dealing with the comedian.

The segment lampooned Moore as a possible pedophile after sexual misconduct allegations arose during the 2017 U.S. Senate race. Moore went on the show thinking he was receiving an award.

Moore announced in June that he is running for U.S. Senate again in 2020 after failing to win the seat two years ago amid sexual misconduct accusations by nine different women.