Is Paparazzi Case a Fraud?
Posted on May 23, 2008
Filed Under Assault, Celebrities, Fraud, Hit & Run, Law, Los Angeles, News, Paparazzi |
In our May 2 blog post we talked about paparazzi Glen Gurniak who filed a hit and run suit against rocker Benji Madden and passenger Paris Hilton for allegedly driving over his foot before speeding away. The incident was widely reported in national and LA entertainment news and blog sites. Although no legal resolution has been reported to date, an anonymous citizen is posting strikingly similar responses to blog sites wherever the Gurniak charge crops up.The response posted on 22.moon.com is representative, though more elaborate than the comment posted on this site: “The pap is just in need of money he’s tmz ex-video guy who is a sex offender, nothing happen to his foot anyone can go into a hospital and say their leg hurts and doctors can only assume it’s a sprain if they can’t find anything wrong with it. Which is what he claims to have had a sprain on his knee and ankle. Celebrities watch out he’ll do it again.”
So is this legit, an attempt to defame the man or a misguided effort to sway public or legal opinion? As Alice would say in Wonderland, things are getting “curiouser and curiouser.” As is often the case, things may not be what they seem. Gurniak’s claim could be legitimate or it could be a fraudulent attempt to bilk money from publicity shy celebrities. The unsubstantiated blog comment could equally be true or fraudulent, an attempt to either “get the truth out” or discredit Gurniak’s charge.
The whole affair points out the importance of obtaining legal counsel no matter which side of an argument you’re on. If you’re a little guy with a legitimate beef, you need the power of an experienced lawyer to protect yourself from the rich and powerful. If you’re among the social elite, you need the resources of an experienced lawyer to protect yourself from becoming the target of frivolous and often expensive nuisance suits. An experienced attorney will protect your interests in court. You may not be able to stop the rumor mills from spewing misleading or spurious reports, but an experienced attorney will see that your rights are protected. Leave it to the facts to quash unsavory rumors.
- LegalPro
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