Bo Jackson waives $21 million judgment in extortion lawsuit against niece and nephew

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — Former professional football and baseball player Bo Jackson is giving up a $21 million judgment against his niece and nephew, who he said had harassed him and tried to extort money from him.

In February, a judge ruled in favor of Jackson in the lawsuit he filed in April 2023 against Thomas Lee Anderson and Erica M. Anderson, also known as Erica Anderson Ross. Jackson, a running back who won the Heisman Trophy at Auburn and also played in the NFL and MLB, Jackson had alleged in his lawsuit that those close to him attempted to extort $20 million from him through harassment and intimidation.

In addition to the monetary award, last year’s ruling included a permanent protective order barring his niece and nephew from disturbing or contacting him and his immediate family. He also said they had to stay at least 500 yards away from the Jacksons and delete social media posts about them.

Cobb County Superior Court Judge Jason D. Marbutt said in his February order that neither Jackson’s niece and nephew nor their attorneys refuted Jackson’s claims or participated in the case after a May 2023 hearing, when they agreed to a temporary protection order. The judge found the Andersons in default, accepting all of Jackson’s allegations as true.

After that ruling was issued, a new attorney for the Andersons filed a motion in March to vacate that judgment and dismiss the lawsuit, according to court filings. In a filing Tuesday, Jackson and the Andersons jointly asked the judge to vacate the February order, withdraw the Andersons’ pending motions and enter a consent judgment.

“In the meantime, the parties have conducted two mediations and reached a private agreement resolving this dispute,” the filing states.

Marbutt issued an order Wednesday reversing his February decision at the request of Jackson, his niece and nephew.

This consent judgment found in favor of Jackson on several points and dismissed others, awarded no damages to Jackson or his niece and nephew, and stipulated that the parties must pay their own attorneys’ fees. It also says the Andersons must not harass or intimidate Jackson, his wife and children and stay 500 yards away from them, except in certain circumstances, including court appearances, sporting events and family functions. The Andersons are also to have no contact with Jackson, his wife and children.

Jackson, 62, had alleged the harassment began in 2022 and included threatening social media posts and messages, public allegations that put him in a false light. He also alleged that the public disclosure of private information was intended to cause him serious emotional distress. With the help of a lawyer, the Andersons demanded $20 million to quit. He said he feared for his own safety and that of his family.