Celebrity Justice
Borat Lawsuit -- High Five!!!

How's this for the beginning of a lawsuit filed today in Los Angeles County Superior Court? -- "Sacha Baron Cohen is a prankster."Click to view documents

Two anonymous plaintiffs are suing 20th Century Fox and One America Productions, claiming members of their college fraternity were interviewed to become part of the smash "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" film.

The plaintiffs -- listed as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 -- were allegedly assured the film would not be shown in the U.S. and their identities would not be revealed.

They were both selected to appear in the movie and, according to the suit, taken "to a drinking establishment 'to loosen up' and provided alcoholic beverages." They claim they signed the movie releases after "heavy drinking."

The suit claims both men were then taken to a motor home where they were filmed, all the while "encouraged to continue drinking."

The movie features a scene in a motor home where Cohen gets drunk with three frat boys who go on a racist rant about how they wished they had slaves and how minorities in the United States "have all the power."

According to the lawsuit, the frat boys only received $200 for the controversial appearance.

The plaintiffs claim they suffered "humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional and physical distress, loss of reputation, goodwill and standing in the community..." because the movie was indeed released in the U.S.

The suit asks for unspecified damages.

Calls to 20th Century Fox were not immediately returned.



Tags: Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen, SachaBaronCohen

Reader Comments

(Page 10 of 16) Previous 15 Comments | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

136. Being in a fraternity myself I'm obviously biased, but I also know a hell of a lot more about it then most of you stereotyping a**holes.

First of all, the fact that these men are in a fraternity is irrelevant, they could have been any college age white male and the effect would be the same. Apparently Sacha Cohen is also a stereotyping a**hole, so he targeted these fraternity guys.

That said, I'd like to set the record straight. I can't speak for all colleges and fraternities, but I can for mine and plenty others. Yes, "frat boys" know how to drink and party and get lots of ass and all that fun stuff that most college students do, but there's far more to it than that.

We're not stupid, the average fraternity GPA is higher than the school average. The greek system raises hundred of thousands of dollars a year for charity. We participate in all sorts of clubs and organizations and attend and run leadership conferences and things like that. So if anything, don't be jealous that we know how to party, be jealous that we know how to party harder and are smarter and more successful than you. A**holes.

So really, you f***ers who are generalizing us "frat boys" as racist-sexist-STD-ridden-raping-hazing-drunk-idoits are no better than the the racists sexists themselves.

Posted at 10:53PM on Nov 10th 2006 by "Frat Boy"

137. Sam said this: "I'm glad Sacha Cohen is getting sued. I'm sick of all this ambush humor and innocent people's expense."

Lemme guess, you are one of those political correctness types, aren't ya? Lemme tell you sumthin, people today are so damned uptight about EVERYTHING. I haven't seen this film, but have seen more than a few clips and I have to say that this type of humor brings out the truth in people. You really see people for who they REALLY are.

Feminist scene case-in-point. These people talk about all the hate. Look how they reacted. Hypocrisy? I'd say so. Sam... I'd rethink my stance if I were you before there are laws passed to outlaw this by people like you.

Posted at 3:24AM on Nov 11th 2006 by Donnie 3.0

138. The choice was ALWAYS theirs to drink or not to drink, and, unfortunately, they made the wrong choice like Mel Gibson. They have to take responsibility for their actions. Alcohol makes you lose your inhibitions. These young men are pissed because they let the alcohol expose them for who they really are and what they truly think.

Posted at 5:20PM on Nov 11th 2006 by LBOOGiE73

139. i'm sorry, if i get drunk, so drunk i make stupid comments, and someone pays me to video the ridiculous fool i make of myself, who's to blame? ME!

folks didn't take it easy on Mel Gibson for making a fool of himself.

Say dumb sh*t, you are a dumb sh*t. fess up, feel better, move on.

Posted at 6:28AM on Nov 11th 2006 by viv

140. "Frat Boy", it's frat boy like you who gives bad name to Fraternities all over America, you arrogant piece of crap. "Don't be jealous that we know how to party, be jealous that we know how to party harder and are smarter and more successful than you. A**holes" I'm laughing histerically over the insecurities shown in this statement :D :D

So high GPA means you are smart? I think not.

Posted at 8:17AM on Nov 11th 2006 by booglie

141. Support Borat against crazy Jewish, Gay frat boys: Join this Facebook support group!!! Emergency action.

http://usc.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2216741979

Posted at 12:14PM on Nov 20th 2006 by Lewis

142. I would have loved to be taken on a ride with borat, those p***ies shouldn't even be talking about that, but their stupid and drunk, so borat takes the cake

Posted at 11:29AM on Nov 11th 2006 by gavilan

143. Welcome to America. If you want to get paid, you negotiate that ahead of time. These frat fools got taken for a ride in more ways then one and now they want to get paid. Guess what life has many lessons, these boys just learned one. Pack up and go home you lost.

Posted at 11:46AM on Nov 12th 2006 by Dennis

144. 15. If Borat's going to bring in millions, they ought to pay those who helped them to make it, right? Especially if they fraudulently induced certain behavior. I say to the frat guys to go for it.

Oh yes they "fraudulently induced certain behavior" I bet they really aren't misogynistic racists in real life! Yep, I bet that's real! And they never drink either!

Posted at 12:24PM on Nov 11th 2006 by Chris mankey

145. they simply revieled themselves to the entire world, and now they are embarrased, WAA WAA. They think they'll get a large settlement for being total idiots drunk or not.

Posted at 12:49PM on Nov 11th 2006 by moonpie

146. Who cares if they were frat boys or just plain college student. They didn't say one way or the other in the film. These guys were three ignorant college students that just happen to belong to a fraternity. So let's let the frat boys off the hook here and concentrate on the real problem. Racial bias that still exist even amongst the youth of America. Shouldn’t we be raising our children to know better. Explain the fact that in the long run we’re all the same race. The human race.

Posted at 1:41PM on Nov 11th 2006 by lefty

147. I have to respond to Sam below. You are glad he is getting sued? Then you belong to the same group of idiots that sue for people for all kinds of stupid reasons that clog the courts (ambulance chasers make a mint off of morons like you).

Sacha Baron Cohen is a GENIUS! He exposes all of the bigoted, small-minded, hateful people that make this world the mediocre place that it is. I salute Mr. Cohen for exposing the uneducated, unworldly,uninspired, soulless people out there. If people are that dumb not to realize what is going on or to have such pitiful lives---like the Southern elitist dining club that he exposes for the racist, elitist, fascist scum that they are then they deserve it.
TAX THE STUPID PEOPLE! WE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND OUR MILITARY AND OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM TWICE OVER!!!

Posted at 10:25PM on Nov 11th 2006 by AJ

148. Ok, well for all of you...I happen to know both of these gentlemen. (well, all 3 that were in thefilm).
As for the 2 that are suing, I have known both of these GENTLEMEN for some time. I was actaully there with them the day the film crew approached them and the weekend the movie was released. I have been here for the entire ride.
These 2 men are without a doubt, the most genuine I have meet. Chi Psi is known for outstanding reputation as a Gentlemens Fraternity, and i will stand by that 100%.
Have I seen these 2 men while intoxicated...Yes, I have. I can guarantee you that no comments such as those placed in the film have EVER been discussed. These 2 men honestly have risked reputation and mental anguish...Despite what some of you maythink.
I gladly welcome anyone to disagree with me on this...All you have is your knowledge of the film and ludacris opinions. Again, I know these gentlemen first hand, and have spent many many a nights and events with them. They were totally misrepresented in this film.
-Amy H.

Posted at 6:52AM on Nov 12th 2006 by Amy

149. man if those kids were embarrassed, then that prejudice man at the rodeo is going to have a heart attack, and if not , he will kelled murdered because of all the horendous things he said. Funny movie though

Posted at 5:51PM on Nov 12th 2006 by Rusty

150. I don't feel sorry for the Frat boys. They had to have known that Sasha Cohen is controversial. I'm pretty sure they have seen or at least heard of Da Ali G Show. I've watched it a couple of times and aside from the humor, he does and says some questionable sh*t to people of position and I've seen many of them come close to losing it because he has cleverly drawn them into the stupidity. Hell, he almost made the former Surgeon General, C. Evertt Koop lose it because Sasha kept telling him that the heart should beat like your favorite rap song and that one could live with a cell phone inside of you inplace of your spleen. Sounds stupid when you read it but the fact that he had Mr. Koop shook like that was hilarious!
These Frat asses stated what has been in their frontal lobes forever. You said what you felt, don't be ashamed. You think that me and every other black, latino (and everyother person of color) is here to take advantage of what is rightfully yours. I don't agree with your views, but I would respect you more if you stood by your comments, drunk or not.

Posted at 8:29PM on Nov 12th 2006 by no need to lie, my real name is Lena

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