Former U.S. Rep. George Santos has taken legal action against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, ABC, and Walt Disney Co., alleging he was deceived into creating videos on the Cameo app that were later used to mock him on Kimmel's show. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. district court for the southern district of New York, asserts claims of copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment.
Santos, who was expelled from the House of Representatives last year on charges of fraud and stealing from donors, claims that Jimmy Kimmel misrepresented himself to persuade Santos into making personalized videos that would exploit and ridicule his public persona. The lawsuit alleges that Kimmel submitted at least 14 requests under false pretenses, which were then featured on a segment titled 'Will Santos Say It?' on the show.
In one such video, Santos is seen congratulating a fictional winner of a beef-eating contest for consuming an impressive amount of ground beef. While acknowledging the humor in Kimmel's fake requests, Santos' attorney, Robert Fantone, asserts that the actions taken constitute a clear violation of copyright law.
Seeking $750,000 in statutory damages for the five videos that were aired on the show and various social media platforms, Santos also aims to recover other damages to be determined during trial proceedings. The former lawmaker is facing multiple criminal charges related to fraud, misuse of campaign funds, and unauthorized credit card charges. He pleaded not guilty to a revised indictment in October.
Following Santos' expulsion, Democrat Tom Suozzi emerged victorious in a special election to fill the vacant seat in Congress. Meanwhile, the legal battle between Santos and Kimmel continues to unfold in court.
