Bestselling author Amy Griffin and Jane Doe are involved in a legal dispute over allegations of story theft and defamation. Griffin's memoir, The Tell, recounts her recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse in the 1980s, which she says were uncovered through MDMA-assisted therapy. In March 2026, Jane Doe filed a lawsuit claiming Griffin used details from her own abuse experiences, including a school dance incident, in the book. Doe also alleges that Griffin sent a fake investigator to obtain information from her.

Griffin responded in June 2026 with a defamation counterclaim filed in Nevada, denying the allegations and asserting that they have damaged her reputation. She states that she documented her memories and reported the abuse to authorities before Doe came forward. Griffin also submitted a statement from the alleged fake investigator denying any contact with Doe.

Both parties have criticized The New York Times for its involvement. Griffin accuses the newspaper of encouraging Doe and publishing the story without sufficient fact-checking, while The New York Times defends its reporting as thorough and carefully verified.

The case raises complex issues related to memory, trauma, and authorship. It is currently pending in U.S. courts with no final decision announced.