Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton is entitled to nearly $85,000 to pay his legal costs in a defamation lawsuit brought by a friend of actress Lindsay Lohan, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, also can receive an additional $2,000 if he requests it, Superior Court Judge Elihu Berle said.
"Perez Hilton will take steps to make sure every dime is collected," said his lawyer, Bryan Freedman.
"This should make one careful before filing a lawsuit against him."
Samantha Ronson, who sued Hilton last year, was a passenger in Lohan's car when it crashed into a tree in Beverly Hills in May. She sued Hilton for repeating on his website a report from another site stating she planted cocaine that was found in Lohan's car.
The judge removed Hilton from the lawsuit last November after the blogger's lawyers argued he was protected by free speech rights.
Ronson's lawyer, David Bass, unsuccessfully argued Hilton's lawyers' fees were excessive and he should get no more than $13,400 to recover his legal costs.
Bass said Wednesday he was considering whether to take further legal action.
"We would like an opportunity for the court to consider all the facts," he said.
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