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Philip Seymour Hoffman’s friend creates foundation under lawsuit settlement with The Enquirer

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In this Jan. 19, 2014 photo, Philip Seymour Hoffman poses for a portrait in Park City, Utah. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Victoria Will/Invision

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A close friend of Philip Seymour Hoffman has settled a libel lawsuit against The National Enquirer by creating a playwriting foundation to be initially funded by the tabloid.

In a one-page ad Wednesday in The New York Times, The Enquirer said it “responsibly acknowledged its error” for a story that purported to be an exclusive interview with David Bar Katz. The Enquirer also apologized to Katz, a playwright who discovered Hoffman’s body.

The actor died of an apparent heroin overdose Feb. 2.

The Times (http://nyti.ms/1frmpjz ) reported on the settlement and said the ad was part of the agreement.

The American Playwriting Foundation will award $45,000 yearly for an unproduced play that embodies Hoffman’s “passion for truth.” Katz’s lawyer told the Times the amount won’t be disclosed.

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The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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