Sacha Baron Cohen's no stranger when it comes to controversy and his Showtime program "Who Is America" created just that. Cohen played various characters on the show while interviewing politicians and public figures. Former Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore was one of the more notable guests on the show but things didn't end entirely well for him by the end of the segment. Now, he's filing a lawsuit against Sacha Baron Cohen, CBS and Showtime after claiming he was tricked into appearing on the show.
Roy Moore is taking legal action against Sacha Baron Cohen's Showtime TV program "Who Is America" following his controversial appearance. According to court papers, he claims that he was coaxed into heading to Washington, D.C with the impression that he would be accepting an award for his support for Israel. Ultimately, he was interviewed by Cohen's character "Col. Erran Morad" who waved a fake "pedophile detector" which went off after passing Moore. Moore walked off immediately after.
"This false and fraudulent portrayal and mocking of Judge Moore as a sex offender, on national and international television, which was widely broadcast in this district on national television and worldwide, has severely harmed Judge Moore’s reputation and caused him, Mrs. Moore, and his entire family severe emotional distress, as well as caused and will cause Plaintiffs financial damage,” the lawsuit reads.
Moore is suing Cohen, Showtime and CBS for defamation, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Despite the lawsuit, Moore signed a release before taping the show but his legal documents claim that the release acquired fraudulently.
Showtime has released a statement regarding the lawsuit.
“The press has been sent copies of an alleged complaint, yet to our knowledge SHOWTIME has not been served. With that said, we do not comment on pending litigation.” It reads.
Peep the full lawsuit doc below.