Kevin O Leary Wins 2.8 Million in Defamation Case Against Crypto Influencer Ben Armstrong

A U.S. court has ordered crypto influencer Ben Bitboy Crypto Armstrong to pay entrepreneur Kevin O Leary 2.8 million in damages for defamation. The court dismissed Armstrong s attempt to overturn a default judgment, which he claimed was due to extraordinary circumstances such as his incarceration and mental health issues.
The case arose from Armstrong s false accusations against O Leary, including claims that he was a murderer who paid millions to cover up his role in a murder. These statements were linked to a 2019 boating accident involving O Leary s wife, Linda, which resulted in two deaths. Although Linda was later exonerated, the incident had significant financial repercussions for the O Leary family.
In March 2025, Armstrong revived these false allegations and encouraged his followers to harass O Leary by sharing his personal cell phone number. O Leary argued that these actions harmed his reputation and business, leading to increased security costs of 200,000 per year.
O Leary has been inundated with inquiries from his business partners and television network partners regarding Defendant s posts that O Leary was a murderer and paid millions to cover it up
the court order stated.
Armstrong s defense, citing his mental health struggles and incarceration as reasons for not responding to the case, was rejected by the court. The ruling emphasized that he failed to provide specific evidence demonstrating how these issues prevented him from meeting the original deadline.
This judgment highlights the court s position on the importance of accountability in public statements, particularly for influential figures in the media and entertainment industry.