Part of Roseanne Barr’s Tabloid Lawsuit Dismissed

A federal judge on Monday dismissed part of comedienne Roseanne Barr’s $35-million lawsuit against the National Enquirer for allegedly publishing her stolen love letters. U. S. District Judge Ronald Lew in Los Angeles dismissed two racketeering counts against the tabloid but left in place a conspiracy charge under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

Barr and her husband, Tom Arnold, sued the Enquirer under federal racketeering statutes charging copyright infringement, conspiracy, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The couple alleges that the tabloid stole and published letters the couple exchanged before they were married.

Barr’s attorney, Morton Rosen, said he brought the civil suit under the RICO Act, an organized crime law normally associated with mobsters and drug dealers, because he wanted to illustrate a principle about the privacy of celebrities.