A Florida jury on Friday awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million with the possibility of more after finding the Gawker website violated his privacy by publishing a sex tape of the celebrity wrestler.
"This is a victory for everyone who has had their privacy violated," Hogan's attorney, David Houston, said.
"This is a victory for everyone who has had their privacy violated," Hogan's attorney, David Houston, said.
The one-minute, 41-second video depicted Hogan engaged in sex with the wife of his then-best friend, radio "shock jock" personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.
The 62-year-old wrestling star cried and hugged his attorney.
The 62-year-old wrestling star cried and hugged his attorney.
Hogan, star of World Wrestling Entertainment, said he did not know the consensual encounter had been recorded when it occurred nearly a decade ago in Bubba's home.
He testified that he still suffers from the humiliation of a video that went viral. The video was viewed 2.5 million times on the Gawker site.
He testified that he still suffers from the humiliation of a video that went viral. The video was viewed 2.5 million times on the Gawker site.
The case has drawn attention as a digital-age test of a celebrity's privacy rights and freedom of the press under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Gawker publisher Nick Denton said the website would appeal the verdict. A Gawker attorney previously said a loss could put the website out of business.
Gawker said posting of the sex tape on their site was in keeping with its mission to cover true and interesting subjects, stressing that Hogan had made his sex life a public matter.
Gawker publisher Nick Denton said the website would appeal the verdict. A Gawker attorney previously said a loss could put the website out of business.
Gawker said posting of the sex tape on their site was in keeping with its mission to cover true and interesting subjects, stressing that Hogan had made his sex life a public matter.
The video included excerpts from a 30-minute sex tape obtained by Gawker without knowing its origin.
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