LA Attorney Bryan Freedman Sued for Alleged Online Smear Campaign
Model Paige Jimenez alleges attorney Bryan Freedman orchestrated online smear campaign.
Why it matters: This case highlights serious reputational risks and ethical issues tied to attorney conduct, especially involving the use of digital platforms for defamation. Legal professionals should note the implications for litigation strategy and professional accountability.
- Paige Jimenez filed a lawsuit on October 5, 2026, in Los Angeles Superior Court against Bryan Freedman.
- The lawsuit claims Freedman created a website accusing Jimenez of drug dealing, prostitution, tax evasion, and falsely linking her to actor Matthew Perry's 2023 death.
- The defamatory site disclosed Jimenez's home address, causing fear for her safety and leading to psychiatric hospitalization.
- Similar smear campaigns allegedly involved PR reps Melissa Nathan and Jed Wallace targeting other public figures like Amanda Ghost and Blake Lively.
On October 5, 2026, model Paige Jimenez filed a lawsuit against prominent Los Angeles attorney Bryan Freedman, accusing him of orchestrating a defamatory online smear campaign. According to court documents, Freedman allegedly created a website that falsely accused Jimenez of drug dealing, prostitution, and tax evasion. The site also linked Jimenez to the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry, claims she disputes.
The website reportedly disclosed Jimenez’s home address, which led to concerns for her personal safety and a subsequent psychiatric hospitalization. Her attorney, Meredith Drukker Stratigopoulos, stated, "Paige hopes that by coming forward, what happens to her will not happen to others and that those behind the smear campaign will be held accountable."
The lawsuit also names public relations representatives Melissa Nathan and Jed Wallace, alleging their involvement in similar coordinated smear efforts against other public figures, including Amanda Ghost, Jessica Serfaty, and Blake Lively.
This lawsuit follows a related case from August 2026, where actress Alexa Nikolas was allowed by a Los Angeles judge to proceed with a defamation claim against Freedman for an alleged smear campaign targeting her advocacy work.
A spokesperson for The Agency Group, which has been linked in rumors to the smear efforts, clarified, "The Agency Group has never had any contact with Paige Jimenez or provided services to anyone relating to her."
The allegations raise significant ethical questions about attorney conduct and the use of digital platforms to damage reputations. Legal professionals and their clients may face increased scrutiny regarding such tactics, emphasizing the reputational risks involved in high-profile litigation strategies.
By the numbers:
- October 5, 2026 — Date Jimenez filed her lawsuit
- 2023 — Year actor Matthew Perry died, falsely linked to Jimenez
- August 2026 — Court allowed Alexa Nikolas’s defamation case vs. Freedman to proceed