In a complaint filed on Saturday, former US Representative George Santos claimed that late-night broadcaster Jimmy Kimmel tricked him into creating films on the Cameo app that were used to mock the disgraced New York Republican on the program.
ABC, Walt Disney Co., Kimmel, and the lawsuit were named as defendants in the Southern District of New York U.S. District Court filing. An email from The Associated Press requesting comment from a Disney representative listed as a media contact for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show was not immediately answered.
After being accused of numerous instances of fraud and embezzlement from contributors, Santos was ousted from the House of Representatives last year. He is suing for alleged copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract, and unjust enrichment.
Users of the app can send requests for video messages.
Santos received requests for customized video greetings from people and companies using Cameo. Kimmel submitted at least 14 requests using fictitious identities and storylines, which Santos was unaware of, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit claims that the films were aired on a program titled “Will Santos Say It?” beginning in December.
Within a single video, Santos congratulates the alleged victor of a beef-eating competition, praising their accomplishment of finishing 2.7 kg of loose ground beef in less than half an hour as “amazing and impressive.”
