Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Hulk Hogan takes Gawker website to court in $100m privacy lawsuit after they post secretly recorded sex tape of him having an affair


HULK HOGAN has taken American website Gawker to court in a $100m privacy lawsuit after they posted a secretly recorded video of him involved in a sex act.
The reality TV star and former World Wrestling Entertainment champion is seeking $100 million in damages from Gawker for posting the nearly two-minute video of him having sex with the former wife of his then-best friend, radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge.
Hogan's lawyer Shane Vogt told jurors in Florida that the online gossip site was motivated by power and brand promotion at Hogan's expense.
Vogt, noting that 2.5 million people had viewed the clip during the six months it remained online, said: "They (Gawker) have essentially replaced sticks and stones with clicks and phones."
Attorneys for Hogan, who will go by his legal name, Terry Bollea, for the court proceedings, say he had a right to expect privacy in a private bedroom and the video was filmed without his knowledge.
Gawker argues that its 2012 post is protected free speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and contends it was reporting on a celebrity who has publicly discussed his sex life.
Gawker's founder, Nick Denton, sat in the front row of the courtroom along with a former editor involved in the posting, A.J. Daurlieo.
Seth Berlin, a lawyer representing Gawker, said ahead of the trial: "That is a high-stakes proposition, not just for Gawker, who is right now in the crosshairs, but for all of the people who exercise First Amendment rights."
A loss could put Gawker out of business, but Berlin confirmed that the website will appeal an unfavourable verdict, he said.
Hogan is expected to be the first witness to take to the stand, and a judge has given Hogan special permission to wear his signature Bandana in court.

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