Sacha Baron Cohen being sued by angry cameraman
Sacha Baron Cohen is being sued by a cameraman who claims he was assaulted by members of the actor’s production team.
The British comic star is at the center of a lawsuit filed by Mike Skiff for alleged assault and battery, violation of civil rights and inciting a riot while shooting his comedy ‘Bruno’ in 2008.
Mr. Skiff claims he was shoved and threatened as he filmed Sacha during a pro-gay marriage rally in Los Angeles in November 2008.
Court documents filed by Mr Skiff — a self-described gay journalist in Los Angeles — allege he was “injured in his health, strength and activity, sustaining injury to his body and shock and injury to his nervous system and person, all of which injuries causes and continue to cause Plaintiff great physical, mental and emotion pain and suffering”.
The movie Bruno focuses on a gay Austrian fashion journalist and the plaintiff alleges the production team incited violence while filming the rally ahead of an important vote on gay marriage in Los Angeles, in order to increase entertainment value for their movie.
The lawsuit, obtained by RadarOnline, states, “In order to create dramatic content for its production, Bruno Productions’ intent was to promote violent discord between the assembled yes and no factions. In stark contrast with the ‘ultra gay’ Bruno character, members of the crew of Bruno Productions carried ‘Yes On Proposition 8’ signs contrived for the sole purpose of inciting and sparking unrest to enhance the dramatic effect of what they may capture on film.”
Mr. Skiff is seeking $25,000 in damages, medical expenses, and attorney’s fees.
