According to Rolling Stone, Judge Helal A. Farhat has dismissed the motion Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit) recently filed against his ex-wife Carré Callaway (Queen Kwong). The guitarist was previously claiming that Callaway violated a defamation agreement that they signed amid their divorce.

Borland initially took issue with comments Callaway made during an interview with Bandcamp Daily. The following was previously said about that chat:

“[Callaway] claimed Borland gave [her] three days to leave their Detroit-area marital home with several rescue cats after the marriage fell apart. She is quoted as saying that one of the cats, Daisy — whom she eulogized on her album ‘The Mourning Song’ died a week after he left because he was the only one who could care for her.”

An album review published from Flood Magazine also repeated those claims, while also suggesting that the song “Emdr Atm“ was about Callaway getting gaslighted by Borland. The guitarist claimed these comments violated the aforementioned agreement and that she was trying to defame him and profit off of his name. However, Farhat disagreed. The judge said the following:

“The court does not find that [Callaway] made any defamatory statements regarding [Borland]. In the Bandcamp Daily article, [Callaway] expressed her opinions, frustrations, and the struggles of her divorce from [Borland]. Ms. Callaway did not specifically indicate that [Borland] was the cause of her being ‘broke and homeless.’ All other statements referenced in [Borland’s] motion are either [Callaway’s] reflection of her feelings or insinuations made by authors. Statement [sic] that simply do not rise to the level of being defamatory. As to the Flood magazine article, same was imply an assessment of [Callaway’s] music and the author’s conclusionary statements based on the original Bandcamp article interview.”

Callaway has since commented on the victory as well:

“I made a record that I’m very proud of. It’s painfully real and honest, and I think that was enough to cause Wes discomfort and displeasure. As a result, he attempted to weaponize my record’s lyrics and press coverage against me in a frivolous legal action. This was an act of intimidation via a court system with the intent of disrupting my career and shutting me up. Which, unfortunately, is a common bullying tactic used by people in positions of power to evade accountability and intimidate women into silence.

Though it was an emotionally and financially exhaustive battle, I’m glad I chose to fight it. The judge made the right decision and freedom of speech and art prevailed. I’m relieved to be walking away with my voice and I hope this outcome will deter similar attacks against women and artists in the future.”

[via The PRP]

According to Rolling Stone, Limp Bizkit’s Wes Borland is currently involved in a legal battle with his ex-wife Carré Callaway (Queen Kwong). The issue is reportedly related to a defamation agreement that they signed amid their divorce.

Borland has taken issue with comments Callaway made during an interview with Bandcamp Daily. The following was said about that chat:

“[Callaway] claimed Borland gave [her] three days to leave their Detroit-area marital home with several rescue cats after the marriage fell apart. She is quoted as saying that one of the cats, Daisy — whom she eulogized on her album ‘The Mourning Song’ died a week after he left because he was the only one who could care for her.”

An album review published from Flood Magazine repeated those claims, while also suggesting that the song “Emdr Atm“ was about Callaway getting gaslighted by Borland. The guitarist claims Callaway’s comments are a violation of their divorce and that she is trying to defame him and profit off of his name. He is currently seeking $5,000 and court fees.

Callaway issued the following statement to Rolling Stone:

“The TRUTH CANNOT BE DEFAMATORY. This action is simply a tactic to bully, intimidate, and silence me. This is an attempt to financially ruin me, exhaust my physical well-being and denigrate my credibility with the explicit intent of causing harm to my career.

This is an overall attack on freedom of speech and artistic expression. What does it mean for indie musicians like myself —who can’t afford to even tour these days — to have to worry about fighting frivolous lawsuits.

What does it mean for women who are already afraid to tell their stories? What does it mean for journalists if their words can be spun to silence the very women they’re trying to give a platform to?”

Borland’s representative, B. Andrew Rifkin, also commented:

“Mr. Borland filed a post-judgment motion asking that the Wayne County, Michigan Family Court enforce specific Judgment of Divorce provisions that both parties agreed to abide by as part of their 2020 divorce settlement. Mr. Borland’s post-judgment motion has nothing to do with any issues beyond what each of the parties agreed to do as part of the finalization of their 2019 divorce case.

The parties’ Judgment of Divorce requires both Mr. Borland and Ms. Callaway to refrain from ‘mak[ing] speeches, giv[ing] interviews, or mak[ing] statements that defame the other party.’ Mr. Borland has fully complied with that provision, and he is asking the Family Court to make clear to Ms. Callaway that she has the same obligation to comply that Mr. Borland has.”

[via The PRP]