Lady Gaga has prevailed in a legal battle related to the theft of her two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, in 2021.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Holly Fujie ruled in favor of Gaga on Monday in a lawsuit that claimed the singer had reneged on her promise to pay a $500,000 reward for the return of her dogs, without further ado Asking questions was not adhered to.
Jennifer McBride, who returned Gaga’s dogs and was later charged with theft, filed suit in February.
McBride attempted to sue Gaga for breach of contract, fraud by false promise and fraud by misrepresentation on the reward money, as well as over $1.5 million in damages. In the complaint, she claimed that Gaga never intended to pay out the reward and intended for law enforcement to ask questions about the Bulldogs’ return.
Gaga’s lawyer did not respond to a request for comment on Monday’s ruling.
McBride claimed in court that although she knew the dogs had been stolen when she received them, she only took possession of them to ensure their protection and safe return.
Lady Gaga holds her dog Koji in 2015. STAR MAX/IPx via APAlthough McBride claimed that “her motivation was to protect the Bulldogs (and also to collect $500,000), this alleged motivation does not negate her guilt on the charges, as she admitted that she obtained the Bulldogs knowing that.” “It was stolen property,” the court ruling states.
McBride’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Gaga’s bulldogs were stolen at gunpoint in February 2021 while she strolled through Hollywood with her handler Ryan Fischer. Fischer was shot and later appealed online for financial help while he recovered from his injuries.
At the time, Gaga – whose real name is Stefani Germanotta – was in Rome filming. She offered a $500,000 reward on social media in exchange for the return of her dogs.
Two days after the theft, McBride returned the bulldogs to a Los Angeles police station. She then demanded the reward.
Three men and two accomplices, including McBride, were charged in connection with the theft. McBride had known at least two of her co-conspirators for years before the crime. She pleaded no contest to receiving stolen property in December.