When the movie "Donnie Brasco" came out,John "Boobie Cerasani sued Sony and Tristar pictures,for libel damages based on his portrayal as a murderer in the film.
Early test screenings of the movie used his real name,but the theatrical release used the pseudonym "Paulie".
Cerasani was found not guilty of the charges brought as a result of the movie,after which he filed the suit.
Judge Denny Chin of the Federal District Court in Manhattan dismissed the suit stating that Cerasani was "the exceptional libel-proof plaintiff"
whose reputation "is sufficiently tarnished,that at most he could collect nominal damages"