UPDATED: 10:29 am EST February 16, 2005
LOS ANGELES -- The National Enquirer tabloid is facing a $40 million lawsuit filed by actress Ashley Olsen, who is upset about a cover story claiming the actress was involved in a drug scandal.
In the suit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Olsen, 18, alleged she was defamed in the Feb. 21 story, which also said the actress's boyfriend, Scott Sartiano, sold drugs in the past.
"Freedom of the press is a valuable right, but it is not a license for gossipy tabloids to tar and feather innocent celebrities and destroy their reputations and businesses for the rags' profits," the suit states.
Officials from National Enquirer could not be reached for comment.
The suit also takes issue with a cover photo of Olsen "with her eyes half-shut, clearly designed to create the misimpression that she was 'drugged.'"
According to the suit, there is no drug scandal, "certainly none involving Ashley," who "does not use or sell drugs." The suit also disputes the tabloid's claim that Olsen is planning to move in with Sartiano.
Olsen is asking for actual and compensatory damages, exemplary and punitive damages and a court order against the tabloid and its publisher, American Media Inc.
Olsen and her twin sister, Mary-Kate, recently assumed total control of their business empire, Dualstar LLC, the company that markets products bearing their names.
LOS ANGELES -- The National Enquirer tabloid is facing a $40 million lawsuit filed by actress Ashley Olsen, who is upset about a cover story claiming the actress was involved in a drug scandal.
In the suit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Olsen, 18, alleged she was defamed in the Feb. 21 story, which also said the actress's boyfriend, Scott Sartiano, sold drugs in the past.
"Freedom of the press is a valuable right, but it is not a license for gossipy tabloids to tar and feather innocent celebrities and destroy their reputations and businesses for the rags' profits," the suit states.
Officials from National Enquirer could not be reached for comment.
The suit also takes issue with a cover photo of Olsen "with her eyes half-shut, clearly designed to create the misimpression that she was 'drugged.'"
According to the suit, there is no drug scandal, "certainly none involving Ashley," who "does not use or sell drugs." The suit also disputes the tabloid's claim that Olsen is planning to move in with Sartiano.
Olsen is asking for actual and compensatory damages, exemplary and punitive damages and a court order against the tabloid and its publisher, American Media Inc.
Olsen and her twin sister, Mary-Kate, recently assumed total control of their business empire, Dualstar LLC, the company that markets products bearing their names.
now that's alittle disgusting. 