Fan Scammed $300K, Can't Sue Kenny Chesney

A woman was defrauded of $310,000 by an individual impersonating country music star Kenny Chesney online. The imposter claimed financial difficulties and convinced the victim to send money for various fabricated needs. Following the discovery of the scam, the victim filed a lawsuit in 2022, attempting to hold the imposter and an accomplice responsible.

The lawsuit also named Kenny Chesney, alleging negligence for failing to prevent such scams. The victim argued that celebrities should proactively warn fans about potential impersonators. However, a Los Angeles trial judge dismissed the claims against Chesney, a decision that was upheld by California's Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District on August 11, 2026.

The appeals court stated that legal precedent does not require celebrities to warn or protect fans from third-party scams. They clarified that celebrities do not share a special relationship with their fans that would impose a duty to safeguard them from misconduct by others. The court acknowledged the increasing sophistication of online scams but deemed it an overreach to compel celebrities to post warnings on their platforms.

As a result of the ruling, the woman is required to cover Kenny Chesney's legal expenses incurred during the appeal. Her attorney expressed disagreement with the decision, citing the prevalence of celebrity impersonation scams, particularly in entertainment hubs like California.