James Woods Loses Legal Bid to Learn Twitter Foe’s Name in ‘Cocaine Addict’ Lawsuit

Judge denies actor’s motion in $10 million defamation lawsuit

LAS VEGAS, NV-JUNE 11: Actor James Woods poses for photographers at the Vegas Magazine 2nd Anniversary Party on June 11, 2005 in the Green Valley Ranch Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Haraway/Getty Images)
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James Woods has failed to sniff out the identity of the person who called him a cocaine addict on Twitter.

A judge has shot down the “Once Upon a Time in America” actor’s bid to reveal the name of his social-media nemesis, who Woods is suing for $10 million.

In an order issued Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mel Red Recana, denied Woods’ motion for discovery to determine, among other things, the identity of the defendant, who tweets under the handle Abe List.

“As to discovery of defendant Abe List’s identity, plaintiff has not met his burden of showing good cause,” the order reads. “Defamation plaintiffs are not entitled to use legal process to pierce the anonymity of internet speakers unless they can make a prima facie case.”

Woods filed suit in July, saying that Abe List has engaged in a campaign of “childish name-calling” against the actor, referring to him as a “prick,” “clown-boy,” “joke,” “ridiculous” and “scum.”

However, Woods claims, List went too far with a July 15 tweet in which he referred to the actor as a “cocaine addict.”

The suit goes on to say that the “malicious behavior, through the worldwide use of the internet, has now jeopardized Woods’ good name and reputation on an international scale.”

List, who’s named as John Doe in the suit, has countered that “Twitter is a social media platform known for hyperbole and insult,” and that Woods, an outspoken Twitter user, is also known for hyperbole and insult on the social-media platform.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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