Lady Gaga will not have to pay $500,000 to the woman who returned She has two French bulldogs After they were stolen on a Los Angeles street in 2021 during a violent robbery in which Lady Gaga’s dog was shot because the woman was connected to the robbery, a judge ruled this week.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled Monday that the singer, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, does not have to pay Jennifer McBride the $500,000 reward offered for the safe return of her French bulldogs, Koji and Gustafto, according to court documents obtained by CBS. News.
Judge Holly Fujii said that because McBride had not contested knowingly receiving stolen property in connection with the crime, she was “not then entitled to profit from their mistakes by seeking to enforce the contract.”
“Although (McBride) claims her motive was to protect the Bulldogs (and also collect $500,000), this alleged motive does not negate her guilt on the charge because she admitted receiving the Bulldogs knowing they were stolen property.” Fuji wrote.
“If anything, (the first amended complaint) makes it clearer than the original complaint that McBride has unclean hands that prevent her from profiting from her actions,” the judge added.
The judge also ruled that McBride could not file another revised complaint, effectively closing the case, according to court documents.
In February 2021, Lady Gaga’s dog walker, Ryan Fisher, was shot and had her puppies stolen while Fisher was walking them on a Hollywood street. Police said the dogs were not targeted specifically because they belong to Lady Gaga, but because French bulldogs can sell for thousands of dollars.
Police said three men participated in the robbery and shooting They were arrestedwith two accomplices, including McBride.
Police said McBride was dating Harold White, the father of one of the robbery suspects, Jaylen White. McBride and Harold White were accused of helping Jaylen White avoid arrest.
McBride was initially charged with being an accessory after the fact and receiving stolen property. She allegedly told police she simply found the dogs, then responded to an email about the reward. according to CBS Los Angeles.
In December 2022, McBride He begged He pleaded no contest to one count of receiving stolen property, and was sentenced to two years of probation, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Jaylen White pleaded no contest to second-degree burglary and was sentenced to four years in prison, according to CBS Los Angeles.
McBride said in her lawsuit that the star announced on social media that she would provide a reward for her dogs “no questions asked.” McBride returned the dogs to the Los Angeles Police Department, the lawsuit says, thinking she would get $500,000 in return.
McBride claimed she did not receive the reward, and despite her alleged involvement in the crime, she sued Gaga for breach of contract, fraud by false promise, and fraud by misrepresentation. She claimed that she suffered compensatory damages, mental anguish, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life as a result of not being paid.
— Caitlin O’Kane contributed to this report.
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