Howard K. Stern Settles Rita Cosby Lawsuit

Howard K. Stern's list of legal issues just got (slightly) shorter. The lawyer and former Anna Nicole Smith "companion" has settled the $60 million defamation lawsuit he had filed against former MSNBC anchor Rita Cosby.

Picture of Howard K. Stern Settles Rita Cosby Lawsuit [source:TheHollywoodGossip.com]

A petition for dismissal was filed on Friday, Stern attorney Steve Sadow confirms, but did not comment further "pursuant to the terms of the settlement."

Stern was seeking that massive sum after certain allegations were amde in Cosby's Blonde Ambition: The Untold Story Behind Anna Nicole Smith's Death.

Cosby (falsely) claimed Stern and Larry Birkhead were lovers.

The (bogus) sexual relationship of these two led to a lawsuit.

That was the biggie. But she also suggested the former rivals hatched a secret deal in which Stern agreed to support Birkhead's bid for custody of Dannielynn as a quid pro quo for Birkhead's support for Stern to remain executor of Smith's estate.

Executors take hefty commissions for their efforts, anywhere from 3 6 percent at the least an eight figure payday considering Smith's $400 million.

Earlier this year, Stern dropped similar defamation claims against former Smith bodyguard Mark Speer, whom Stern claimed was Cosby's main source.

Stern is still seeking punitive damages against defendant Elizabeth "Jackie" Hatten, the sister of one of Smith's ex beaus, Mark "Hollywood" Hatten.

Not such good news for Stern? The fact that he's being prosecuted for a litany of felonies as an enabler of Smith who contributed to her death.[source:TheHollywoodGossip.com]