Tom Cruise’s $50-million lawsuit against a U.S. tabloid that said he abandoned daughter Suri after the end of his marriage is turning into a bitter, no-holds- barred battle. NBC News notes that one reason celebrities seldom take on the tabloids is because they’re “subjected to the discovery process.” In other words, what may come out in court can be far worse than the original libel.
Cruise filed the lawsuit against the Bauer Media Group — publisher of Life & Style — over an article that suggested the Jack Reacher star had abandoned Suri. The litigation was nasty in the pretrial phase. Now it’s gotten worse. This week, both sides outlined what they are seeking in discovery and it is extensive. Bauer Media, represented by lawyer Alonzo Wickers, unleashed the following wish list, NBC reported:
— The extent to which Cruise was in contact with Suri after his separation and divorce from actress Katie Holmes.
— The expectations for Cruise’s contact and visitation schedule with Suri and the terms of the divorce agreement.
— And a big one: The role that Cruise’s membership in the Church of Scientology played in his decisions regarding his visitation and communication with Suri.
— Suri’s mental and emotional state after the separation and divorce.
* Cruise’s claim and long history of litigation of when he’s felt slighted by the media.
But Cruise’s longtime lawyer, and Hollywood’s go-to libel man, Bert Fields, said: “Tom doesn’t go around suing people. He’s not a litigious guy. But when these sleaze peddlers try to make money with disgusting lies about his relationship with his child, you bet he’s going to sue.”
Bauer also wants to depose Aaron Moss, another of Cruise’s lawyers. He is resisting.
For his part, Cruise is seeking:
— The identity of the magazine’s sources and all communications with those sources.
— Bauer’s policies and practices with respect to obtaining information, paying for sources, verifying the credibility of sources with whom the writers and editors may not have spoken to.
— Bauer’s practice of publishing stories about Cruise.
— Bauer’s alleged history of bigotry and hatred toward minority religious groups and their members.
The document obtained by NBC said Bauer will attempt to exert journalistic shield privileges to protect the identity of its sources.
The “bigotry” reference alludes to the German-owned company’s alleged antipathy to Scientology. It also could pertain to a recent report suggesting the publisher holds assets appealing to neo-Nazis.
Of course, if the matter isn’t settled by next fall, it’s possible the world will have the curtain pulled back on the operations of the tabloid — and the personal life of Tom Cruise.
Source: calgaryherald