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Former wrestler Hulk Hogan got $25 million in punitive damages in his sex tape lawsuit, bringing his total haul to $140 million, TMZ reports.
Gawker is set to appeal the court’s decision and the pay outs, which could see the site and its sister sites shut down.
The video was published back in 2012 and showed secretly recorded footage of the star with his best friend’s wife. He said the video surfaced at a ‘low point’ as his marriage was ending. It was recorded by his best friend Bubba The Love Sponge Clem, a radio shock jock.
Discussing the leak, Hogan said: ‘I was completely humiliated.’
He added the embarrassment he suffered was both personal and professional: ‘It was even embarrassing as my character. Hulk Hogan was embarrassed.’
Gawker argued in court that ‘this kind of reporting is important’, explaining that celebrity sex tapes are among the ‘uncomfortable’ topics important to the outlet, known for gossip and media reporting.
Speaking after the verdict on Monday, Hulk’s lawyer David Houston said:
‘This is not only his victory today, but also anyone else who’s been victimised by tabloid journalism.’
Agencies/Canadajournal
