Gold Medalist Sued by Parents for Defamation
Tianna Madison, a U.S. gold medal Olympian, is being sued by her parents for libel, defamation, and slander.
A newly filed lawsuit claims that Tianna Madison and her husband John Bartoletta are guilty of making and publishing false reports regarding her parents, Robert and Jo Ann Madison. Tianna has accused her parents of mismanaging her finances in past reports.
The lawsuit denies all such claims and insists that Tianna's parents have done nothing but provide a nourishing environment for their daughter's success.
"Throughout her childhood, and into adulthood, Robert Madison and Jo Ann Madison have provided Tianna Madison with a loving, supportive and generous environment that has enabled her to achieve success as a sprinter, including her obtaining a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games, as well as achieving success in other athletic endeavors," the lawsuit stated.
The lawsuit was filed at a Cuyahoga County's Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 6 in Ohio, where the Madisons live, according to ABC News. Tianna and her husband both live in Tampa, Florida.
Tianna has also stated in the past that her parents openly accepted a man into their home which they knew had molested their daughter. The lawsuit goes on to claim that the Madisons had no knowledge of their daughter being molested.
"Robert Madison and Jo Ann Madison were not aware of any molestation of Defendant Tianna Madison, and at present, they remain unaware of whether Defendant Tianna Madison was ever molested or not," the lawsuit said.
Tianna Madison's representative, Brian Butler, stated that the athlete would not be making any further comment on the story. Tianna secured a gold medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay track event, breaking a world record.
"This should be a time for not just Tianna, but her family to celebrate all she has gone through and her winning a gold medal," Butler told Ohio's Chronicle Telegram. "That is what she is going to focus on at this time."
