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Bristol Palin Sued for Reality Show Blowup

Entertainment Tonight, Thursday, June 14, 2012, 10:53am (PDT)

Entertainment Tonight

Bristol Palin's verbal altercation with a man at a Hollywood bar in her new reality show, "Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp," created some interesting dramatic fireworks. But now that man has filed a lawsuit against Bristol and A&E Television Networks for defamation, invasion of privacy, emotional distress and more.

Bing: Bristol Palin's show

In court documents obtained by ET, Stephen Hanks contends that he was approached by Bristol last September at the Saddle Ranch bar in West Hollywood and a camera "recorded an exchange without his knowledge or consent." He claims that after hearing nearby patrons "discussing their general disagreement with the politics of Bristol Palin's mother, Sarah Palin," one of the other patrons yelled something out about Palin's political views. The reality star then chose to confront him and accused him of being "a homosexual" because he did not like her mother, and "by the way he looked."

Hanks claims that after Bristol left the bar he realized that someone had filmed the exchange and no release was obtained, nor were there any signs posted informing patrons that they may be filmed. He adds that Bristol referenced the altercation in a subsequent In Touch magazine interview, for which "she blamed Plaintiff for causing her to leave Los Angeles and move back to Alaska," despite having purchased her new home in Alaska "more than two months before the encounter with the Plaintiff."

Hanks also claims that the defendants in the lawsuit have "repeatedly unlawfully used Plaintiff's image for profit in promotional advertising," and the defendants have refused to "cease using his image for profit."

Citing "harm to his profession and occupation" as well as exposure to "hatred, contempt, ridicule and/or shame" and more defamation, Hanks is seeking monetary damages and is also demanding a trial by jury.

Related stories on ETonline.com:
'Life's a Tripp' for Bristol With New Reality Show
Tom Cruise: No Plans to Expand Family
Courteney Petitions to Drop 'Arquette' From Name

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