Classmate Sues Memoirist Amy Griffin for Allegedly Using Her Sexual Assault Story

The Tell author accused of invasion of privacy and other claims by former middle school classmate

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A former classmate of memoirist Amy Griffin is suing her for allegedly using the classmate's story of sexual assault as the basis for Griffin's bestselling memoir 'The Tell'. The classmate, identified as Jane Doe, claims Griffin's account of abuse was actually based on her own experiences and that Griffin unlawfully used her 'identity, likeness and private information' without consent.

Why it matters

This lawsuit raises serious questions about the ethics of memoir writing and the potential harm that can come from authors using others' traumatic experiences as the basis for their own work without permission. It also highlights the challenges victims of sexual assault can face when their stories are shared publicly without their knowledge or approval.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe and Amy Griffin attended the same middle school in Amarillo, Texas, and the book references Doe under the pseudonym 'Claudia'. Doe alleges that two specific incidents of sexual assault described in 'The Tell' actually happened to her, not Griffin, including an assault by a teacher in a school closet and a more 'violent' attack in a bathroom where the teacher 'put his boot on her back, stuffed a bandana in her mouth... and whipped her with a belt'. Doe is suing Griffin, as well as the book's ghostwriter Sam Lansky and the publishers, for negligence, invasion of privacy and other claims.

  • Griffin's memoir 'The Tell' was published in March 2025 and selected as Oprah's Book Club pick that month.

The players

Amy Griffin

The author of the bestselling memoir 'The Tell', which is the subject of the lawsuit.

Jane Doe

A former classmate of Griffin's who is suing her for allegedly using Doe's story of sexual assault as the basis for 'The Tell' without her consent.

Sam Lansky

Believed to be the ghostwriter on 'The Tell', and named as a defendant in the lawsuit alongside Griffin and the book's publishers.

Penguin Random House

The publisher of 'The Tell'.

The Dial Press

The imprint under Penguin Random House that published 'The Tell'.

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What they’re saying

“What happened to me was so horrific that I put it in the back of my brain and was never going to tell myself. What has been most powerful for me is the decision to go forward and talk about it.”

— Amy Griffin (PEOPLE)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ethical minefield that memoirists can navigate when drawing on others' traumatic experiences. It underscores the need for authors to be transparent about their sources and obtain consent when using others' personal stories, in order to avoid causing further harm to victims.