Rogelio “Roger” Nores, a close friend of the late One Direction star Liam Payne, has filed a $10 million defamation lawsuit against Geoff Payne, Liam’s father. The lawsuit stems from statements Geoff Payne allegedly made to Argentine authorities investigating Liam’s death in October 2023. Nores, who is currently facing manslaughter charges in Argentina related to Liam’s death, asserts that Geoff Payne’s statements directly led to his arrest and the charges against him. The lawsuit, filed in Palm Beach, Florida, claims that Geoff Payne’s statements were “misleading, false, and defamatory,” and have caused irreparable harm to Nores’ reputation.
The core of the defamation suit revolves around Geoff Payne’s alleged portrayal of Nores as Liam’s caretaker, responsible for his well-being. Nores vehemently denies this characterization, insisting that he was merely a friend and had no legal duty to oversee Liam’s care. He claims Geoff Payne falsely informed investigators that he and Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, were acting as Liam’s “nurses.” This assertion, according to Nores, paints a misleading picture of his relationship with Liam and implies a level of responsibility he did not hold.
Further fueling the lawsuit are allegations that Geoff Payne falsely claimed Nores took Liam to a new, unnamed psychiatrist in Florida after Liam’s regular doctor resigned. Geoff Payne allegedly told authorities that Nores misrepresented Liam’s substance abuse issues to this psychiatrist in an attempt to obtain medication and circumvent the previous doctor’s recommendations. Nores categorically denies this claim, stating that they never visited another psychiatrist together and labeling the accusation as “100 percent fiction.” This alleged fabrication, Nores argues, further contributes to the defamatory narrative that led to his legal troubles in Argentina.
Another key point of contention in the lawsuit revolves around Geoff Payne’s alleged statements regarding Liam’s ability to care for himself. Nores claims Geoff Payne falsely told investigators that Liam could not be left alone, did not possess his own phone, and could only be contacted through Kate Cassidy or Nores. These claims, according to Nores, further solidify the false impression that he was acting as Liam’s caretaker, thus contributing to the justification for the manslaughter charges against him. He argues that these statements paint a picture of dependence that misrepresents Liam’s actual capabilities and further damages his own reputation.
The lawsuit highlights the significant fallout from Liam Payne’s tragic death, which occurred in Buenos Aires after he fell from a third-floor hotel balcony. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, with multiple individuals, including hotel staff, facing charges related to the incident. Liam had reportedly traveled to Argentina to renew his US visa after relocating to Florida with Kate Cassidy. Toxicology reports revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and prescribed antidepressants in his system at the time of his death.
The legal battle between Rogelio Nores and Geoff Payne adds another layer of complexity to the already tragic circumstances surrounding Liam Payne’s death. Nores has stated his intention to donate any net financial proceeds from the lawsuit to Liam’s son, Bear. The case continues to unfold, with its outcome potentially having significant implications for all parties involved. The lawsuit underlines the delicate intersection of grief, legal proceedings, and the preservation of reputation amidst a tragic and complex event.
