**Charges of Defamation Filed by Former NFL Cheerleader Against Mario Lopez Dismissed With Prejudice**
*Published: September 29, 2025 | 7:51 p.m. ET | RadarOnline.com*
RadarOnline.com can exclusively report that the defamation charges a former NFL cheerleader filed against Mario Lopez have been dismissed with prejudice.
The former “Saved By the Bell” star had been locked in a legal battle with Desiree Townsend after he shared a social media post featuring the so-called “Flu Shot Cheerleader.” Townsend sued Lopez, his employer NBC, Inside Edition, and even the actor’s own legal team, demanding $150 million in damages.
From the beginning, Townsend claimed that her name and reputation had been tarnished after Lopez, 51, shared an old Inside Edition story about her on Instagram. He captioned the post: “There’s gotta be some kind of award for this performance,” adding the hashtags #MethodActor and #OscarWorthy.
Lopez maintained that his statements were protected under free speech and filed an anti-SLAPP motion—a legal tool designed to quickly dismiss lawsuits filed against public figures on those grounds. Late last week, a judge granted that exact motion.
### Lopez Off The Hook
According to court documents obtained by Radar, the judge fully granted Lopez’s anti-SLAPP motion, striking all claims against him. Furthermore, Lopez is now entitled to have Townsend cover his legal fees.
Holly Baird, representing the law firm Geragos & Geragos, which defended Lopez, told Radar in a statement:
“The Court ruled that Lopez’s Instagram post—reposting a 2010 Inside Edition video with a caption—was protected free speech on a matter of public interest and constituted non-actionable opinion, not defamation.”
She added: “This ruling reinforces California’s strong protections for free expression.”
### Freedom of Speech Argument
The “Access Hollywood” host has consistently argued that his comments were protected by the Constitution. His attorneys stated in previous court filings:
“Defendant alleges that any representations or omissions alleged in the Complaint were protected by Defendant’s First Amendment Rights to Freedom of Speech.”
They continued, “Defendant’s statements were purely opinions, and not statements of fact, and no reasonable person who heard the statements would have interpreted them as anything but opinions.”
### Restraining Order and Video Incident
The dispute between Lopez and Townsend escalated over several months, especially after Townsend, who is also a paralegal, surprised Lopez at his home to serve him legal papers.
RadarOnline.com previously shared a video Townsend made showing her accompanying a process server to Lopez’s residence to deliver the defamation lawsuit.
In response, Lopez filed for a restraining order against Townsend. Court documents obtained by Radar outlined his concerns:
“Mr. Lopez was harmed by the most recent harassment when Ms. Townsend arrived at his home on Father’s Day with a process server, causing chaos and fear for his young children and family members who witnessed the event.”
He further stated, “She then escalated the harm by posting a video of the service on TikTok, exposing his family and home address to millions of viewers, placing them at risk of further harassment, public ridicule, and potential physical danger.”
Per the restraining order, Townsend must now stay at least 100 yards away from Lopez and his family until February 2027.
https://radaronline.com/p/mario-lopez-sued-court-battle-judge-dismisses-charges-flu-shot-cheerleader-defamation/
