A former production assistant at ESPN whose affair with the network’s sports analyst Steve Phillips led to both their dismissals has filed a defamation lawsuit against the network, the Associated Press reports.
Brooke Hundley, 23, filed the lawsuit in Stamford Superior Court on Tuesday, claiming ESPN defamed her by citing false statements from Phillips and by alleging she didn’t fully cooperate with the network’s investigation, the article said, adding that Hundley has said she confronted Phillips’ wife only so he would stop pursuing her.
According to the AP story, ESPN said Hundley’s claims are without merit.
Hundley’s complaint claims that Phillips falsely alleged he had tried to end their relationship and had portrayed her as a danger to his family. Hundley, who was hired by ESPN in 1998 and made $10.96 an hour, is seeking more than $15,000 in damages and said the publicity has cost her subsequent job opportunities and damaged her reputation.
Do you really care for personality news? Not want it? Do you really take long lunches from your job when you know that this trendy issue of People hits the newstands? I would die to learn how much folks actually find superstar gossip compelling, and how many simply just consider the passion for it funny.