Tensions flared in court on Thursday as Anthony Borges, the most seriously wounded survivor of the 2018 Parkland school massacre, clashed with some families of the 17 victims over dueling settlements reached with convicted shooter Nikolas Cruz. The emotional legal battle has exposed long-standing animosity between Borges and certain families of the deceased.
Contentious Settlements Spark Legal Battle
The immediate dispute centers on a June agreement Borges and his parents reached with Cruz, granting them rights to Cruz’s name and image, control over any interviews he might give, and a $400,000 annuity left to Cruz by his late mother. Shortly after, families of victims Meadow Pollack, Luke Hoyer, and Alaina Petty, along with fellow survivor Maddy Wilford, countered with their own $190 million settlement with Cruz.
Attorneys from both sides have accused each other of dishonesty, as Circuit Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips tried to mediate the heated exchange.
A History of Tension Between Borges and Victims’ Families
The tension between Borges, 21, who was shot five times, and the families dates back to negotiations over previous settlements. During discussions over a $25 million settlement with Broward County schools in 2021, the families of the murdered students demanded Borges receive $1 less than they would, arguing that their loss was greater. Borges’ attorney, Alex Arreaza, fought for $5 million, given Borges’ lifelong medical needs, leading to a rift with the group.
The feud continued during discussions over a $127 million settlement with the FBI, with Borges eventually negotiating his own agreements separately.
Attorneys Exchange Accusations
David Brill, representing the Pollack, Hoyer, and Petty families and Wilford, accused Arreaza of disrespecting the families and inflating Borges’ medical expenses. He claimed Arreaza failed to uphold a verbal contract to split the annuity money with the other families and work together on the lawsuits against Cruz.
Arreaza denied Brill’s claims, asserting there was no verbal agreement and that Borges needs the annuity for future care. He also countered Brill’s argument that Cruz’s publicity rights cannot be signed over due to state law, maintaining that Borges would never allow Cruz to conduct an interview.
Judge Urges Reflection Amid Heated Debate
Judge Phillips, visibly frustrated by the courtroom chaos, intervened multiple times as the sides traded accusations. In a semi-humorous remark, she likened the animosity to a contested divorce, saying she felt compelled to “grant it.” The judge expressed sadness that the legal fight was unfolding a day after another school shooting in Georgia, urging the parties to reflect on whether this is what they want to focus on in the aftermath of such tragedy.
“Everybody should look deep into their thoughts,” Phillips told the attorneys. “Is this what everyone wants to focus on?”
