Regan, News Corp. reach settlement

NEW YORK , Jan. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. book publisher Judith Regan has settled her $100 million defamation lawsuit against News Corp., it was reported Monday.

Regan and News Corp. issued a statement to The New York Times describing the deal as an "equitable, confidential settlement, with no admission of liability by any party."

Regan was fired from HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp., after the company opted not to release O.J. Simpson's controversial, hypothetical murder memoir "If I Did It."

In her lawsuit, Regan alleged News Corp., HarperCollins and Jane Friedman, head of the publishing house, launched a "malicious assault on her character and reputation."

She also insisted in court papers the notion she was let go for making an anti-Semitic comment was "completely fabricated."

In the joint statement regarding the settlement, News Corp. acknowledged, "After carefully considering the matter, we accept Ms. Regan's position that she did not say anything that was anti-Semitic in nature, and further believe that Ms. Regan is not anti-Semitic."

Regan declined to comment when contacted by phone by the Times.