MARIETTA, Ga. — Bo Jackson is dropping a $21 million judgment against his niece and nephew, who the former football and baseball star said harassed and tried to extort money from him.
In February, a judge ruled in favor of Jackson in a lawsuit she filed in April 2023 against Thomas Lee Anderson and Erica M. Anderson, also known as Erica Anderson Ross.
Jackson, who won the Heisman Trophy as a Auburn The running back, who also played in the NFL and MLB, alleged in his lawsuit that his relatives tried to extort $20 million from him through harassment and threats.
In addition to the monetary award, last year’s ruling included a permanent protective order barring her niece and nephew from disturbing or contacting her and her immediate family. He also asked her to stay at least 500 yards away from Jackson and remove social media posts about him.
Cobb County Superior Court Judge Jason D. Marbit said in his February order that neither Jackson’s nieces and nephews nor their attorneys denied Jackson’s claims or participated in the case after a May 2023 hearing. , when they agreed to a temporary protective order. The judge found Anderson in default, finding all of Jackson’s allegations true.
After the ruling was issued, a new attorney for Anderson filed a motion in March to set aside the ruling and dismiss the lawsuit, according to court filings. In filings Tuesday, Jackson and Anderson jointly asked the judge to vacate the February order, withdraw Anderson’s pending motions and enter a consent judgment.
“In the meantime, the parties have conducted two arbitrations and have reached a private agreement to resolve this dispute,” the filing states.
Marbut issued an order Wednesday vacating his February ruling at the request of Jackson and his niece and nephew.
The consent judgment finds in Jackson’s favor on several counts and dismisses others, does not prejudge Jackson or his niece and nephew, and states that the parties will pay their own attorneys’ fees. It also states that Anderson must not harass or threaten Jackson and his wife and children and must stay 500 yards away from them except in certain circumstances, including court appearances, sporting events and family functions. Anderson is also to have no contact with Jackson and his wife and children.
Jackson, 62, alleged that the harassment began in 2022 and included threatening social media posts and messages and public accusations that cast her in a false light. He also alleged that the public disclosure of private information was intended to cause him severe emotional distress. With the help of a lawyer, Anderson asked for $20 million to stop. Jackson said he feared for his safety and that of his family.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.