The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives‘ Demi Engemann filed a motion to dismiss Marciano Brunette‘s defamation suit.
PEOPLE reported that Demi’s legal team asserted that her discussing Marciano’s “unwanted touch” was protected by her First Amendment rights. Demi spoke about it on the two shows the action played out on, making it “a matter of public interest.” Marciano filed a suit against Demi for defamation.
Legal deets:
Demi’s legal team called Marciano’s suit “a lesson in hypocrisy.”
“[Marciano] has gone to great lengths to tell the world about his sexual prowess. He even bragged to a national television audience that a former employer had to implement a special policy to keep him from preying on female co-workers.”
The filing shares the belief that Marciano only pursued legal action to “get even” with Demi over her accusations against him, calling him a “predator” for engaging in alleged sexual misconduct.
Also named in the suit is Jeff Jenkins Productions, the production company behind TSLOMW. It alleged they had “reason to believe” that Demi’s claims about Marciano were false. It was aired anyway.
Let’s talk about the “performer agreement” Marciano signed for his appearance on TSLOMW …
During the show, information that is “of a personal, private, surprising, embarrassing and/or unfavorable nature” may be revealed.
Marciano was to understand information “may be embarrassing or of an otherwise unfavorable nature. It may expose Artist, Artist’s friends, co-workers and/or family to public ridicule, humiliation, or condemnation.”
“Artist acknowledges that Artist is voluntarily participating in the Series and related activities with full knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the personal risks involved, and hereby agrees to accept any and all risks of participating in the Series.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
