Gossip site Gawker is currently in the midst of a giant $100 million lawsuit filed against it by legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan for posting secretly filmed footage of the aging sports star having sex with his best friend’s wife. The case is now on day three of the trial, and things are getting sleazier and sleazier.
Hogan’s friend, radio dj Bubba The Love Sponge, gave Hogan permission to come aboard his wife but unbeknownst to the wrestling champ, there was a camera taping the entire event. Gawker received the footage, edited it down to a few minutes, and posted it in October of 2012.
According to the New York Times, the jury heard shocking videotaped testimony from the former Gawker editor-in-chief, A.J. Daulerio, 41, who declared where he draws the line when it comes to posting videos of people having sex.
“Can you imagine a situation where a celebrity sex tape would not be newsworthy?” asked the lawyer, Douglas E. Mirell.
“If they were a child,” Mr. Daulerio replied.
“Under what age?” the lawyer pressed.
“Four.”
Daulerio wasn’t done showing his callousness yet. The New York Post noted that, “Daulerio, who looked bored throughout the grilling, wiping his eyes and resting his hand on his chin, also claimed he would have no problem if his own hypothetical sex tape was published.”
“It wouldn’t upset you in any way to have your sexual encounters appear on the Internet?” the former Gawker editor asked.
“I somewhat expect that to happen at some point,” he replied.
Daulerio went on to say that he found the video amusing and newsworthy. Hogan on the other hand has admitted to contemplating suicide and that it was one of the darkest times of his life.
“Did you give any consideration prior to Oct. 4, 2012, as to whether publishing the Hulk Hogan sex tape would distress Hulk Hogan,” the lawyer asked.
“No,” he answered.
“You didn’t care, really, did you?” Harder asked.
“No,” he said again.
“Had you known that Hulk Hogan would be emotionally distressed by this publication you would have still published it, correct?” he was asked.
“Sure, yes,” Daulerio said
Gawker is defending the publication of the tape, that was illegally made then illegally sold, by arguing that Hogan had talked openly about his sex life before in interviews, including on The Howard Stern show.
Click below to see Hogan on Oprah’s “Where Are They Now” discussing what he went through…
