NEW YORK (AP) — Former U.S. Rep. George Santos The lawsuit filed Saturday alleges the late night host: jimmy kimmel They tricked him into making a video on the Cameo app to mock the disgraced New York Republican on the show.
The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, names Kimmel, ABC and the Walt Disney Company as defendants. Disney representatives listed as media contacts on Jimmy Kimmel Live! The program did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Mr. Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives last year after being indicted on multiple charges of fraud and theft from donors, and is facing a lawsuit on charges of copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.
Kimmel misrepresented himself to induce Santos to create a personalized video that “exploited and mocked” his “outgoing personality,” the complaint alleges.
Through Cameo, Santos has received requests from individuals and businesses for personalized video messages. The complaint alleges that Kimmel submitted at least 14 requests using false names and stories without Santos’ knowledge.
Starting in December, the video was played in the segment “”. Would Santos say that? ” says the suit.
In one of the clips, Santos congratulates the alleged winner of a beef-eating contest, calling the feat of devouring 6 pounds of ground beef in less than 30 minutes “amazing and impressive.” “It’s a target.”
“Frankly, Mr. Kimmel’s bogus request is strange, but what he has done is a clear violation of copyright law,” Santos’ attorney Robert Fantone said in an email.
Santos is seeking a total of $750,000 in legal damages for five videos he created that were played on the show and on various social media platforms. He is also requesting that other damages be determined in court.
The former lawmaker is accused of defrauding campaign donors, lying to Congress about his wealth, receiving unemployment benefits while in office, and using campaign funds for personal expenses such as designer clothing. He faces numerous criminal charges, including: It is also suspected that fraudulent charges were made to credit cards belonging to some of the donors.
Santos pleaded not guilty Amended charges will be filed in October.
Democrats on Tuesday Tom Suozzi He won a special election for Santos’ former seat.
