3/25 – The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to hear casino mogul Steve Wynn’s appeal challenging the 1964 precedent set by New York Times v. Sullivan. This landmark decision established the “actual malice” standard, requiring public figures to prove that defamatory statements were made knowingly or with reckless disregard for the truth. Wynn’s defamation lawsuit against the Associated Press, stemming from reports of 1970s-era sexual misconduct allegations, was dismissed under this standard. The Court’s decision not to revisit Sullivan maintains the existing standard for defamation, allowing news organizations to report on such figures without the threat of excessive litigation.