Can Prank Victims Sue?

If you humiliated yourself in front of millions of people, can you sue the person who put you in that position?

As the New York Times reports,

Sacha Baron Cohen, disguised as an antiterrorism expert, coaxed Daniel Roberts, an ardent gun rights activist, into biting on a sex toy, and other embarrassing acts, while being filmed. Mr. Roberts thought he was part of a training video. Instead, he was being played for laughs, as part of an episode of Mr. Cohen’s Showtime series, “Who Is America?”

Roberts now says that he’s “exploring” legal action against Cohen.

Self-Defense

Jason Spencer, a Georgia lawmaker, resigned after Cohen convinced him to yell racial epithets as part of what Spencer called  a “bogus self-defense and antiterrorism training” video.

Cohen is known for adopting personas like “Borat” in order to make satirical and political points.

In his latest series, he adopted the guise of “Col. Erran Morad,” an Israeli antiterrorism expert.

He induced Spencer to drop his pants as well, supposedly as a method for fending off terrorist attacks.

Spencer has also said he’s “sought legal counsel” in connection with his appearance on the show.

Pedophile-Detector

And former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore said he was tricked into participating in Cohen’s show after being told he was to receive an award for his “strong support of Israel.”

Cohen used a metal wand that he claimed “detects pedophiles.”

Moore was accused of trying to have romantic relations with teenagers when he was in his 30s.

According to Time, Moore has filed a $95 million defamation lawsuit against Cohen, Showtime, and CBS.

Other targets on Cohen’s show included former Vice President Dick Cheney, Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, and former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Deceit

Are Cohen’s victims likely to be successful in court?

As the Times noted, Cohen and his team were deceitful in how they lured guests into participating on the show.

However, the participants signed forms that seemingly released Cohen and the related companies from legal claims.

Cohen has been sued in the past, in connection with other projects. In one case, the plaintiff, Rachelle Olsen, said that she was injured after Cohen (playing the character of “Bruno”) commented on the numbers at a senior citizen’s bingo game.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Olsen told him to stop and announced “I will not have anyone make a mockery of this bingo hall.”

After security officers escorted Cohen and his crew out, according to the Reporter,

Olson left the stage to calm herself down, where, sobbing uncontrollably, she lost consciousness, hitting her head into the concrete floor. Paramedics took her away, and she says she was diagnosed with two brain bleeds and has been in a wheelchair and walker ever since.

Olsen, along with others in the bingo hall, had signed a “Standard Location Agreement” that stated that she hadn’t relied on any promises as to “the nature of the Film or the identity, behavior or qualifications of any of the cast members.”

Olsen’s case was dismissed in 2011.

Case Studies: Prank Victims Considering Legal Action

Case Study 1: Daniel Roberts vs. Sacha Baron Cohen

In a widely publicized incident, Daniel Roberts, an ardent gun rights activist, was deceived into participating in Sacha Baron Cohen’s show, “Who Is America?” under the guise of a training video.

Cohen, disguised as an antiterrorism expert, convinced Roberts to engage in embarrassing acts, including biting a sex toy. Roberts, feeling humiliated and deceived, is exploring the possibility of taking legal action against Cohen for his participation in the prank. This case study illustrates the potential legal implications faced by prank victims.

Case Study 2: Jason Spencer and Roy Moore’s Lawsuits

Two other notable individuals targeted by Sacha Baron Cohen on his show were Jason Spencer, a Georgia lawmaker, and Roy Moore, a former Alabama Senate candidate. Cohen manipulated Spencer into engaging in racist behavior and convinced Moore that he was receiving an award while using a “pedophile-detector” wand.

Both Spencer and Moore have sought legal counsel and filed lawsuits against Cohen, Showtime, and CBS. These cases demonstrate the individuals’ pursuit of legal remedies after being deceived and portrayed in a negative light on the show.

Case Study 3: The Deceitful Actions of Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen’s deceptive methods of luring guests into participating in his show have raised questions about the legality of his pranks. While participants signed forms seemingly releasing Cohen and the related companies from legal claims, there have been past lawsuits against Cohen for his actions in other projects.

For instance, a plaintiff named Rachelle Olsen sued Cohen after sustaining injuries during a senior citizen’s bingo game. However, her case was dismissed as she had signed a location agreement that released Cohen from liability.

Defamation

As the Times notes, the standard for defamation is much higher for public rather than private citizens.

To support a defamation claim, a public figure (such as a politician) must show that the defendant acted with “actual malice.”

In addition, the tort of defamation requires a false statement by the defendant.

In the case of “Who Is America?,” Cohen didn’t make false statements about the plaintiffs and potential plaintiffs. Instead, he made false statements that led them to embarrass themselves by their own words and actions.

By Showtime (https://www.showtimeanytime.com/#play/3451817) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons