The Daily: Kevin O'Leary wins $2.8M defamation judgment against Ben

Kevin O'Leary wins $2.8 million defamation judgment against crypto influencer Ben 'BitBoy' Armstrong

A Florida federal judge awarded investor and television personality Kevin O'Leary $2.8 million in a default defamation judgment after Ben "BitBoy" Armstrong failed to mount a legal defense.

• The ruling stems from Armstrong's March 2025 social media posts falsely accusing O'Leary and his wife of murder tied to a fatal 2019 boating accident, including the disclosure of O'Leary's private cell phone number.
• In that incident, two people died when O'Leary's boat struck another vessel on a lake in Ontario. O'Leary was a passenger and was never charged. His wife, Linda O'Leary, was charged with careless operation of a vessel but was exonerated after a 13-day trial.
• The court granted $2 million in punitive damages alongside $750,000 in compensation for emotional distress and $78,000 for reputational damage.
• Armstrong's attempt to overturn the judgment, citing incarceration and mental health issues, failed after the court found he delayed nearly a year before responding.
• The decision adds to Armstrong's mounting legal troubles, including arrests, felony charges, and regulatory scrutiny tied to threats and alleged securities promotion violations.
• However, collecting the judgment may prove difficult, with reports from late 2025 indicating Armstrong was nearing insolvency and wallets previously linked to him largely depleted.