Harry Winston Biographers Stave Off Libel Suit by Jeweler’s Aide

Harry Winston’s former “right-hand assistant” failed to support his claim that a biography on the global jewelry company’s founder defamed him, but has been given chance to amend his suit against the book’s authors and publishers.

Serge Fradkoff failed to show that five statements within the book are defamatory and were published with actual malice, Judge Victor Marrero of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York said in a Monday order dismissing the suit.

The New York-based seller of fine watches and self-proclaimed “jeweler to the stars” has operations in China, Japan, France, Germany, ...