The New York Times-20080126-Ex-HarperCollins Publisher Settles Defamation Suit

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Ex-HarperCollins Publisher Settles Defamation Suit

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Judith Regan, the publisher who was fired from HarperCollins in late 2006 after the company decided to scrap the release of If I Did It, O. J. Simpson's hypothetical murder confession, has settled her $100 million defamation lawsuit against News Corporation, Harper's parent.

A statement by Ms. Regan and News Corporation issued Friday described an equitable, confidential settlement, with no admission of liability by any party.

Ms. Regan, who filed her suit last November, had named News Corporation, HarperCollins and Jane Friedman, president and chief executive of the publishing house, as defendants. Ms. Regan accused them of mounting a malicious assault on her character and reputation. A spokeswoman for News Corporation said the settlement covered all parties.

In the suit, Ms. Regan, who published titillating titles like Jenna Jameson's How to Make Love Like a Porn Star, said that claims she was fired for making an anti-Semitic remark were completely fabricated.

In the statement, News Corporation said, After carefully considering the matter, we accept Ms. Regan's position that she did not say anything that was anti-Semitic in nature, and further believe that Ms. Regan is not anti-Semitic.

The company added: Ms. Regan is a talented publisher who created many award-winning and best-selling books during her twelve and a half years at the company. News Corp. thanks Ms. Regan for her outstanding contributions and wishes her continued success.

Reached by telephone, Ms. Regan declined to comment. In the joint statement, she said: I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with so many gifted people and am looking forward to my next venture.

The statement did not mention Ms. Regan's allegation that a News Corporation executive encouraged her to lie to federal investigators about her affair with Bernard B. Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who was nominated to be homeland security secretary in late 2004. According to Ms. Regan's complaint, News Corporation wanted to aid the presidential aspirations of Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mr. Kerik's mentor.

Joseph W. Cotchett, a lawyer for Ms. Regan, could not be reached. Two other lawyers whose names were on the complaint, Brian C. Kerr and Seth Redniss, did not return calls.