George Santos Sues Jimmy Kimmel

New York. Former US Rap. George Santos alleges in a lawsuit filed Saturday That host Jimmy Kimmel tricked him into making a video on the Cameo app, which was used to mock the disgraced New York Republican on the show..

The lawsuit, filed in New York’s Southern District Court, names Kimmel, ABC and The Walt Disney Company as defendants. A Disney representative listed as media contact for Jimmy Kimmel Live did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment..

Santos, who was ousted from the House of Representatives last year on multiple charges of donor fraud and theft, has filed suit for alleged copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

Kimmel misrepresented Santos’ image to induce him to make a personal video, capitalizing on and mocking his “smiling personality,” the lawsuit alleges.

Through Cameo, Santos received requests from individuals and companies who wanted personalized video messages. Unbeknownst to Santos, Kimmel submitted at least 14 applications that used false names and stories, according to the lawsuit.

Beginning in December, the videos were broadcast in a segment titled “What Would Santos Say? ” says the lawsuit.

In one clip, Santos congratulates the supposed winner of the beef-eating contest, calling his feat of consuming 2.7kg of loosely minced meat in less than 30 minutes “amazing and impressive”..

“Frankly, Kimmel’s bogus pleas were funny, but what he did was a clear violation of copyright law,” Robert Fentone, Santos’ attorney, said in an email.

Santos is seeking damages totaling $750,000 for five videos he made that were played on the show and on various social media platforms. He also requests other damages that will be determined at trial.

The former lawmaker faces several criminal charges, including allegations that he defrauded campaign donors, lied to Congress about his assets, received unemployment benefits while employed and used campaign contributions for personal expenses such as designer clothes. They are also accused of making unauthorized charges to some donors’ credit cards.

Santos pleaded not guilty to the amended charge in October.

On Tuesday, Democrat Tom Suozzi won a special election for Santos’ former seat.