Florida

Gawker Files Motions Seeking New Trial in Hulk Hogan Privacy Case

Hogan was awarded a total of $140.1 million in the invasion of privacy case

A New York news website has filed motions in a Florida court seeking a new trial in the Hulk Hogan invasion of privacy case.

In motions filed this week, lawyers for Gawker Media asked for a new trial or for the amount in damages awarded to the former pro wrestler be vacated or drastically reduced.

Hogan, whose given name is Tery Bollea, sued Gawker for $100 million after it posted a video of him having sex with his then-best friend's wife. Hogan said he didn't know he was being taped and the 2012 post violated his privacy.

Hogan's lawyers argued that Gawker didn't follow usual journalism procedures before publishing the video on the internet and that the video wasn't newsworthy. Gawker did not try to contact Bollea or the woman in the video, and nor did the website contact the woman's husband, DJ Bubba The Love Sponge Clem, who recorded the video.

In March, a St. Petersburg jury sided with Hogan, who sued after the website posted a portion of the video. Hogan was awarded $115 million in compensatory damages plus an added $25.1 million in punitive damages, for a total of $140.1 million.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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