A bombshell lawsuit is sending shockwaves through the publishing industry and high-society alike.
Amy Griffin, the wife of prominent hedge fund executive John Griffin, has been part of New York City’s social scene for years. Last year, she published a memoir titled The Tell, which was lavished with praise by the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon, and Drew Barrymore on its way to becoming a New York Times bestseller.
In the book, the first-time author wrote that while she was under the influence of MDNA (an illegal substance) as part of a psychedelic-drug therapy program, she unlocked memories of being raped on multiple occasions by a teacher in Amarillo, Texas, starting when she was 12.
The Lawsuit
But now there are questions as to exactly whose memories Griffin was channeling. Last week, a woman identified only as “Jane Doe” filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging she was Griffin’s classmate and the sexual assault described in The Tell actually happened to her. She is suing for intrusion, invasion of privacy, publication of private facts, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress.
It is but the latest twist in the saga surrounding this memoir that began when MK Media’s very own Maureen Callahan expressed her reservations about Griffin’s recollections on The Nerve last summer and The New York Times followed that up with its own investigation published in September.
Among stunning revelations about Griffin’s history with Jane Doe (referred to in the book under the pseudonym Claudia), that report discovered her husband financially supported research conducted as part of a push to get the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve MDMA for therapeutic use and that the couple had invested in a company poised to sell the drug.
In a statement, Griffin’s attorney dismissed the allegations as “meritless claims” and called out “the deeply flawed New York Times reporting that is at the center of it.”
The Fallout
On Thursday’s show, Megyn was joined by Callahan to discuss the shock lawsuit and what it could mean for Griffin and the A-listers who helped promote the book.
What’s in the Book
Callahan joined Megyn to discuss the “memories” in question, why they raised red flags for her and others, Griffin’s claim that she acquired the “memories” by using psychedelic drugs, and more.
A Closer Look at the Lawsuit
Megyn and Callahan talk about the details of the lawsuit against Griffin over “stolen” memories, the evidence she may not have had the experiences in her book, and more.
The Fawning Media Coverage
A look back at the kid-gloves treatment Griffin got during her book tour from Winfrey, Barrymore, and Paltrow, whether outlets like NBC will now have to correct the record, and more.
You can check out Megyn’s full interview with Callahan by tuning in to episode 1,271 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.