Judge Orders Reggie Bush to Pay $1.4M in Defamation Case

Reggie Bush has been ordered by a California judge to pay nearly $1.4 million to businessman Lloyd Lake in a defamation lawsuit stemming from a prior settlement between the two. The dispute dates back to 2010 when Bush settled a breach-of-contract suit with Lake, who alleged he provided impermissible benefits to Bush during his USC football career, leading to NCAA sanctions and Bush returning his Heisman Trophy. The recent suit was filed in 2023 by Lake and his parents, claiming Bush violated a non-disparagement agreement by publicly accusing Lake of blackmail and falsely labeling him a convicted rapist during a 2022 podcast and social media posts. Following these comments, Lake's parents' home was vandalized with threatening graffiti, which the lawsuit cited as a consequence of Bush's statements. Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Eric Harmon upheld the arbitrator's award that includes damages, attorneys' fees, and court costs, rejecting Bush's argument that the arbitrator exceeded his authority. This ruling concludes the latest legal chapter in the long-standing conflict between Bush and Lake, which has had significant repercussions for USC football and Bush's legacy.