MIAMI (Reuters) -
The prostitute linked to the sex scandal
that forced former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer to resign last
month is suing "Girls Gone Wild" adult video founder Joe
Francis for more than $10 million for the illegal use of her
name and image.
In the lawsuit, filed on Monday in federal court in Miami,
Ashley Alexandra Dupre contends that she was 17 and not old
enough to sign a legally binding contract when she appeared
partially nude in video footage filmed in 2003 by members of
Francis' Mantra Films production company in Miami Beach.
On a spring break vacation at the time, Dupre was also
drunk when told to sign a video "release" form, according to
the complaint, which seeks damages in excess of $10 million
from Francis and his co-defendants.
"At the time of these events, plaintiff did not understand
the magnitude of her actions nor that her image and likeness
would be displayed in videos and DVDs produced and distributed
by defendants," the lawsuit says.
"The defendants have profited from the filming, production
and distribution and sale of the videos and DVDs," it added.
"Defendants created the false impression that plaintiff has
endorsed and/or approves of the graphic sexual content,
including lesbian acts, contained in the video, which in
reality she does not."
Dupre was identified in media reports in March as the woman
named "Kristen" linked to "Client 9," the frequent patron of an
upscale prostitution ring.
The New York Times, citing unnamed law enforcement sources,
has said Spitzer was the unnamed Client 9 cited in a federal
affidavit against four suspected ringleaders of the online
prostitution ring. Spitzer resigned on March 12 after the story
appeared.
A spokesman for Francis could not be reached for immediate
comment on Monday's lawsuit.
(Reporting by Tom Brown; Editing by Eric Beech)
No comments:
Post a Comment