Hulk Hogan, former WWE pro wrestler filed two lawsuits in Florida late Monday, one against disc jockey Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, Hogan’s ex-best friend, along with Clem’s ex-wife, Heather Clem, who was Hogan’s partner on the sex tape, and another against New York-based gossip website Gawker.com, which acquired the tape and posted it online.
Hulkk Hogan said in his lawsuits that he had consensual sex with Heather Clem about six years ago in the Clems’ home, but he did not know he was being secretly recorded. It is not clear how Gawker acquired the tape.
“Mr. Hogan had a reasonable expectation of his privacy, just as all Americans have a reasonable expectation of their privacy in their bedrooms,” his lawyer Charles Harder said at a news conference in Tampa near where Hogan lives, according to The Associated Press.
Hulk Hogan — real name Terry Bollea — wore a tight black T-shirt, black pants and dark sunglasses at the news conference outside the federal courthouse in Tampa, but he said nothing.
Hulk Hogan is seeking $100 million in damages against Gawker. In his suit against Heather and Bubba the Love Sponge Clem, Hulk Hogan says the video caused “severe and irreparable injury which cannot be adequately compensated by monetary damages.” He is seeking the rights to the video in both lawsuits.
Hulk Hogan was the best man at the Clems’ wedding (they’re now divorced) and also is godfather to their child, according to Clem’s lawyer, Stephen Diaco. Bubba the Love Sponge Clem denies he had anything to do with leaking the tape.
“My hope is that these two can preserve their friendship,” said Diaco. “I can’t comment on the suit. This has caused harm to Bubba and he didn’t release it, he didn’t condone the release of it. He wants to find out who did that and he wants that person to be held accountable.”