South Carolina Judge Imposes $171,500 Fine on Podcaster Mandy Matney for Contempt of Court South Carolina Judge Keith Kelly ruled on Monday that podcaster Mandy Matney was in contempt of court for refusing to comply with a subpoena to appear for a deposition in a civil lawsuit. The judge ordered Matney to pay $171,500 in legal fees to three law firms involved in the case and a $5,000 fine. The penalty, detailed in a 22-page order, was imposed after Matney failed to appear for her deposition on March 27, 2026, despite multiple court orders and alternative scheduling options. The law firms seeking Matney’s testimony—Bannister, Wyatt, and Stalvey; Deborah B. Barbier, LLC; and Maynard Nexsen—had initially requested $310,533 in fees, but the judge reduced the amount to $171,500. The breakdown of the award includes $39,900 to Bannister, Wyatt, and Stalvey; $45,950 to Barbier’s firm; and $85,650 to Maynard Nexsen. Judge Kelly cited the need to protect judicial integrity, stating that allowing individuals to disregard court orders would undermine the legal system. Matney, 35, a former journalist and true crime podcaster, initially resisted appearing for the deposition, claiming the location was unsafe. However, the judge dismissed her argument, stating there was no credible evidence to support her claim. In his order, Kelly emphasized that Matney’s actions were deliberate, noting that she could have complied with the court’s March 16, 2026, order to appear within 14 days. The judge also highlighted Matney’s online behavior, including social media posts that appeared to celebrate her defiance.#south_carolina #judge_keith_kelly #mandy_matney #bannister_wyatt_stalvey #deborah_barbier_llc
