By PHATLAW Staff

PHATLAW sources reveal that Howard K. Stern has won a victory in his fight against Rita Cosby. PHATLAW readers will likely recall that the attorney turned lover of Anna Nicole Smith has filed a defamation suit against the former MSNBC anchor who wrote a tell-all book about the former PLAYBOY Playmate. The defamation suit alleges that Cosby defamed Stern when she alleged in her book that there are witnesses who say there is a video of Stern and Larry Birkhead (aka Baby Daddy to the Money Train) having sex.

The Judge issued a court order on Tuesday wherein Stern is allowed to investigate his allegations that Cosby unduly influenced the witnesses by offering to pay them thousands of dollars. Specifically, the Judge indicated that there is a lot of evidence that Cosby crossed the line in writing her book on Anna Nicole.

If Cosby is found to have unduly influenced witnesses, then Stern will likely be able to support his claims of defamation. In that case, look for the Judge to award Stern substantial sums of money.

PhatThought: In the meantime, PHATLAW would not be surprised if Stern settled this case out of court for a portion of the proceeds from the book. After all, it has been reported that Stern still lives with his parents. So, he could likely use the cash-ola.

PHATLAW will continue to post the latest developments in this case.