A former model has filed a personal injury lawsuit against a media company that leaked photos of her wearing lingerie onto the internet, named her the sister of a celebrity, and may have dashed her hopes of changing careers and entering the law profession, as reported by the Courthouse News Service.
In Federal court plaintiff S.E. has named the defendants in the lawsuit as: Internet Brands dba ModelMayhem.com, Media Takeout.com LLC, and Domains By Proxy LLC dba Bossip.com.
In 2008 S.E. uploaded her own photographs onto a site called ModelMayhem.com. The privacy policy on the website required that she must give "explicit permission" before her photos would be shared.
In 2011 S.E. decided to forego the modeling career and study law. While allegedly working in "a large law firm" on Long Island she learned from both family and friends that her photos had been leaked to the Internet site, MediaTakout.com.
According to the complaint, "In fact, the story posted by Media Takeout.com online on August 4, 2011 was on its front page, with several of the plaintiff's restricted portfolio photos included, and accompanied by this text: "WOWZERS!! WE GOT PICS OF KIMORA LEE SIMMONS' YOUNGER SISTER ... IN LINGERIE!! (LOOKS LIKE KIMMY ... ONLY THICK) Her name is (S.L.).... and she looks just like her big sis Kimmy."
Kimora Lee Simmons is known for her work as a model, a creative director for a fashion company, television appearances and two marriages to men in the film industry.
S.E. stated that additional commentary of her photographs, from the public and Simmons, caused her further distress.
The complaint continues, "What followed then were several hundred email comments from people nationwide who had seen the photos and read the article - many of the comments being derogatory and sexual in nature" and a quote from Simmons in Bossip.com read, "That Lil Trashy Lingerie Wearing Heffa Is NOT My Sister."
The same day that S.E. learned of Simmons' comments "another of plaintiff's friends contacted her via Facebook and informed plaintiff that the website Bossip.com posted a story with the title 'Rumor Control: Kimora Lee Simmons Says 'That Lil Trashy Lingerie Wearing Heffa Is NOT My Sister' ... Kimora Lee Simmons took the time out today to address some lies floatin' around the internets that she has a lil lingerie modeling sister named (S.L.)..."
Simmons' own blog allegedly read, "Today, it was brought to my attention that there is recently published story on the Internet claiming I have a younger sister who is a model. This story is not true, as I do not have a sister. I felt the need to clear up any confusion or questions."
After Simmons' blog post, according to the complaint, S.E. suffered national exposure and began receiving "numerous online email responses from people nationwide" as well as press reports by the Huffington Post, GlobalGrind.com and Hollywood.com.
S.E. seeks $3 million in punitive damages due to the defendant's actions that caused her "emotional distress, humiliation and damage to her employment…" and for succinctly destroying "the plaintiff's future career plans to apply for and attend law school…"
There are many ways that a person can suffer personal damages. If you have been harmed by the actions of another person, contact a personal injury lawyer to file your lawsuit to recover damages.