A Connecticut lawyer has been sued by television star Judge Judy, according to the New York Daily News. Judith Sheindlin filed the lawsuit because the lawyer used her image without authorization in ads promoting his law firm.
“Over my fifty-year career,” Judge Judy said in a statement, “I have never filed a lawsuit against anyone.” She said that the conduct by John Haymond, a personal injury attorney, was “so outrageous that I feel it requires this action.”
The complaint was filed in federal court in New Haven. It states that Haymond began running the ads back in March of 2013. The ads showed images of Sheindlin and then images of Haymond and his daughters.
“The Unauthorized Advertisements are edited to imply that Sheindlin actually is interacting with Mr. Haymond and his daughters, though in reality she has never met him,” the lawsuit said.
“I have chosen for all of these years on television to maintain my reputation by not endorsing other people’s products and services, despite many offers to do so,” Sheindlin said, “because I believe that it is inconsistent with my judicial career.”
CBS, which syndicates Judge Judy’s show, contacted the attorney about the ads. They were then removed from the internet in April of 2013. As of last week, the ads were still running during broadcasts of “Judge Judy” on local television stations, according to the court filing.
The lawsuit is asking for all profits from the related ads to be handed over to Sheindlin and also pay $75,000 in damages. Judge Judy also said that all of the money recovered from the lawsuit will be turned into scholarships for young women.