Joseph Barrino Defends Family Name From Untruths Published in “Fantasia – Life is Not a Fairy Tale”

Joseph Barrino, father of American Idol star Fantasia Barrino, spoke out for the first time today since filing a $10 million libel lawsuit against Simon & Schuster publishing in New York.

[USPRwire, Mon Oct 30 2006] Joseph Barrino, father of American Idol star Fantasia Barrino, spoke out for the first time today since filing a $10 million libel lawsuit against Simon & Schuster publishing in New York.

“I love Fantasia, I have always believed in her talents and I am so proud of her accomplishments. This lawsuit should not be seen as a negative reflection of our relationship,” said Barrino. “My family and I know what is true and God knows what is true, but what is printed in that book are lies. I want people to know the truth and to clear my family’s good name.”

Joseph Barrino, the plaintiff, is a truck driver residing in Greensboro, NC. The suit charges that Simon & Schuster publishing in New York and Addie Collins, Fantasia’s grandmother and a “ghostwriter” and agent of the publisher, were principal sources for information contained in the book. The suit charges that the biography contains untruths which have damaged the plaintiff’s reputation in his community.

The suit points to specific untrue claims made in the book, including that Joseph Barrino was unable to financially support his family, that he and his siblings abused alcohol and drugs, that he beat his children, that he was angry and resentful of the music industry, that he failed to pay band members, that he sacrificed his children’s schooling to pursue musical careers for them, and that he asks Fantasia for financial assistance when she comes home. The suit states that all of these charges are false, exaggerated and sensational causing irreparable damage to Mr. Barrino’s good name, his family name, his business reputation and his social standing in the community.

Mark S. Grodberg, Managing Director of Gibson & Behman’s New York City office, filed suit in United States District Court, Southern District of New York on September 26th on behalf of Joseph Barrino, father of Fantasia Barrino. The suit seeks, on Mr. Barrino’s behalf, monetary damages to “vindicate and restore the reputation of Plaintiff Joseph Barrino, who was defamed by false, exaggerated, sensational, intentional and malicious untruths written and published” in what was termed a “non-fiction” biography titled “Fantasia – Life is Not a Fairy Tale,” first printed in September 2005. The book has subsequently been made into a Lifetime television movie as well.

Kendall Minter, counsel to Joseph Barrino and of counsel to Gibson & Behman, is an attorney who specializes in entertainment law. He said, “The unfortunate publication of Fantasia’s life story by Simon & Schuster seeks to capitalize on her American Idol success through disparaging certain members of her family. The lawsuit seeks to redress these wrongs and restore the integrity of the family members.”

The suit charges that the acts of the defendants were malicious and without justification, done in disregard of the plaintiff’s rights.

About Gibson & Behman, P.C.
Since its establishment in 1987, Gibson & Behman, P.C. has developed a reputation for excellence in representing clients in matters involving liquor liability, premises liability, construction law, and corporate matters, and the firm continues to expand into other areas of specialization. Gibson & Behman, P.C. has grown from a partnership of two established attorneys in Burlington, MA to a mid-sized firm with offices throughout the northeast and in Florida and California.



Gibson & Behman represents some of the finest regional, national and international companies, including Roche Brothers Supermarkets, Inc., Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Viacom and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. The firm’s corporate headquarters are located at One Mountain Road, Burlington, MA. For more information, contact 781-229-6667 or visit www.gibsonbehman.com. The New York office is located at 80 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004. For details specific to this case, contact Mark S. Grodberg, Esq., (212) 609-2634.



Editors: To arrange for interviews with Joseph Barrino or his counsel regarding the specifics of this case, please contact Jim Farrell or Colleen Cimini at PR First, 781-681-6616, or contact Mark Grodberg at 212-609-2634 or Kendall Minter at 770-879-7400.

Bookmark this release: Del.icio.us - Digg - Furl - Blinklist - Reddit