NEWARK, NJ – A New Jersey attorney’s extraordinary lawsuit against Paramount Global and several entertainment executives — alleging a vast conspiracy to prevent him from marrying actress Cote de Pablo, known for her role as “Ziva David” on NCIS — has been thrown out by a federal judge.
U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton issued the ruling on January 26, granting Paramount’s motion to dismiss and denying plaintiff Gareth David de Santiago Keene’s request for a temporary restraining order. In her opinion, Wigenton described Keene’s claims as implausible, unsupported by evidence, and “sufficiently fantastic to defy reality as we know it.”
Keene, representing himself, claimed that Paramount Global and affiliated companies, including CBS and NCIS producers, orchestrated a plot to “kidnap” de Pablo and her fictional daughter “Tali,” steal their belongings, and prevent his alleged engagement to the actress. He sought $500 billion in damages, imprisonment for the defendants, and a court order compelling the release of both women — despite “Tali” being a fictional television character.
The court also rejected Keene’s attempt to represent de Pablo and “Tali” through a power of attorney document that Judge Wigenton found to be fraudulent. The document, purportedly notarized in California, bore a seal and commission number that “do not exist in public records.” Because of those defects, Wigenton ruled, Keene lacked standing to appear on behalf of anyone but himself.
In the 19-page opinion, the court noted Keene’s allegations — including claims of secret billion-dollar contracts, confessions by CBS executives, and breaches of marriage promises — failed to present “any cognizable legal claim” under federal law. The judge further stated that Keene’s pleadings were “delusional and frivolous” and dismissed them with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be refiled.
Paramount Global did not issue a public comment on the ruling.
- Judge Susan Wigenton dismisses lawsuit against Paramount Global
- Plaintiff claimed conspiracy to prevent marriage to NCIS actress Cote de Pablo
- Court found allegations “fantastic” and power of attorney document falsified