Judge dismisses defamation suit by woman who says she is Jerry Jones’ daughter

A Texas federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a woman claiming to be the daughter of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. In her lawsuit, she alleged that Jones and two associates deliberately portrayed her as an “extortionist” and a “shakedown artist.”

Judge Robert W. Schroeder III dismissed the defamation lawsuit filed in March by Alexandra Davis, a 26-year-old congressional aide. The lawsuit named Jones, his personal lawyer Don Jack, and Jim Wilkinson, a communications consultant for the Jones family.

Davis initially filed a separate lawsuit in March 2022, seeking recognition as Jones’ daughter and alleging that he had made payments to her and established trusts to conceal their relationship. In her defamation claim filed in March, Davis accused Jones and his representatives of engaging in a public campaign to attack her character based on false statements and accusations.

Wilkinson and Jack declined to comment, stating that Jones had no comment either. Judge Schroeder determined in his 36-page order that some of the statements published in two ESPN stories about Davis were either true or not defamatory. He also ruled that Davis qualified as a “limited public figure” and failed to prove actual malice, a requirement under defamation law.

The judge dismissed part of Davis’ lawsuit with prejudice but allowed her and her lawyers to amend their complaint and argue that the defendants acted with actual malice in comments published in one of the ESPN articles. Davis’ lawyer, Andrew Bergman, stated that they would be amending their pleading and were pleased that the case was moving forward. Bergman has 21 days to file an amended complaint.

This dismissal is the latest development in a contentious dispute between Davis and Jones, which has played out in courts and the media. Davis filed the March 2022 lawsuit to establish paternity and be released from a confidentiality agreement her mother agreed to when she was a baby. A court-ordered paternity test has been delayed. Davis and her lawyers have denied any monetary motivation behind the lawsuit, although Wilkinson claimed Bergman suggested a financial settlement involving star players Zeke (Ezekiel Elliott) or Dak (Prescott). Bergman denied making such a request.