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Sex blogger sued for invasion of privacy
Mail & Guardian ^ | May 18, 2005

Posted on 05/20/2005 9:36:47 AM PDT by billorites

Claiming invasion of privacy and humiliation, a staff attorney for a United States senator has filed suit against a woman who published details of their sexual relationship on her blog, or web log.

Robert Steinbuch, a counsel for Republican Senator Michael DeWine, filed the civil suit on Monday against Jessica Cutler, whose brief employment on DeWine's staff was terminated by revelations about her graphic journal of her sexual escapades.

Writing under the nom de plume "Washingtonienne", Cutler last year briefly kept an X-rated online diary of her simultaneous relationships with up to six men around town, including an unidentified Bush administration appointee.

Steinbuch was not identified in the diary, but he claimed in the suit that Cutler's use of his initials, "RS", first name and other details made him "clearly identifiable".

"Cutler's outrageous actions, setting before anyone in the world with access to the internet intimate and private facts regarding [Steinbuch], constituted a gross invasion of his privacy," the suit said.

"The widespread public dissemination of private facts have caused [Steinbuch] to suffer severe emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment and anguish," the suit added, requesting unspecified damages.

Since gaining notoriety as "Washingtonienne", Cutler has signed a book deal for a reported $300 000 (R1,9-million) advance and posed nude for Playboy magazine. -- AFP


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: govwatch; jessicacutler; lawsuit; washingtonienne; weblogs

1 posted on 05/20/2005 9:36:48 AM PDT by billorites
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To: billorites

I don't see how he can hope to prevail in this. As smarmy as it is, doesn't the woman have a right to write about her own life & experiences? If she hasn't libeled him, and indeed did not even identify him, how can she be stopped or punished?


2 posted on 05/20/2005 9:38:59 AM PDT by jocon307 (Irish grandmother rolls in grave, yet again.)
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To: jocon307

Correct. Truth is a defense to defamation actions. And that's the only recourse this guy has, is defmation. If it's true, she can tell the world. She didn't even have to use the initials "RS," she could have printed his full name.

If it's true, you can say anything you want.


3 posted on 05/20/2005 9:43:02 AM PDT by henkster (When democrats talk of "the rich," they are referring to anyone with a private sector job.)
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To: billorites

Workin' Washington...

4 posted on 05/20/2005 9:43:44 AM PDT by Baynative (Liberals are proof that not everything in nature has a purpose.)
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To: billorites

Boy, was he stupid. I hope he's learned something from this.


5 posted on 05/20/2005 9:46:07 AM PDT by Tax-chick (I'm a shallow, demagoguic sectarian because it's easier than working for a living.)
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To: Tax-chick

Don't screw women who are internet savvy?


6 posted on 05/20/2005 9:47:48 AM PDT by coloradan (Hence, etc.)
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To: coloradan

Well, that's one possible lesson :-).


7 posted on 05/20/2005 9:49:31 AM PDT by Tax-chick (I'm a shallow, demagoguic sectarian because it's easier than working for a living.)
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To: Baynative

Is that the alleged perp?


Hmmmm . . . . .


8 posted on 05/20/2005 9:51:35 AM PDT by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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To: coloradan
Never go to bed with somebody crazier than you are...

That is one crazy B***H!

9 posted on 05/20/2005 9:53:46 AM PDT by kAcknor (That's my version of it anyway....)
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To: billorites
simultaneous relationships with up to six men around town

I guess all six guys could say they "did not have a sexual relationship with that woman" depending on the meaning of simultaneous.

10 posted on 05/20/2005 10:00:26 AM PDT by JIM O
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To: billorites

too damned bad... if he kept his zipper shut, he'd be out of the blogs.


11 posted on 05/20/2005 10:02:19 AM PDT by cyborg (Serving fresh, hot Anti-opus since 18 April 2005)
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To: henkster
Correct. Truth is a defense to defamation actions. And that's the only recourse this guy has, is defmation. If it's true, she can tell the world. She didn't even have to use the initials "RS," she could have printed his full name. If it's true, you can say anything you want.

Actually, I believe this is incorrect. Under common law and in some state laws, I think, one can sue for invasion of privacy. This is different from libel, in that "truth" is not necessarily a defense. "Public Disclosure of Embarrassing Private Facts" can be the basis for a privacy tort. I ain't a lawyer, though, so anyone here who is and knows about this stuff should speak up.
12 posted on 05/20/2005 10:02:45 AM PDT by drjimmy
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To: BenLurkin
"Is that the alleged perp?"

Yep. That and THIS

13 posted on 05/20/2005 10:03:11 AM PDT by Baynative (Liberals are proof that not everything in nature has a purpose.)
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To: billorites
Article

Steinbuch

14 posted on 05/20/2005 10:06:00 AM PDT by stinkerpot65
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To: drjimmy

Right. This isn't a defamation action--it's an action for invasion of privacy. Not only is truth NOT a defense here, it's an element of this guy's claim.

Query, though, as to whether this guy is considered a public figure--if he is, he's pretty much dead in the water. Also, I'm not sure that putting just someone's initials on the Internet will suffice for identification.


15 posted on 05/20/2005 10:08:13 AM PDT by Publius Valerius
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To: Baynative

Not that cute...


16 posted on 05/20/2005 10:09:23 AM PDT by Publius Valerius
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To: billorites
Seems this woman has found a different way to be compensated for her prostitution.

Instead of being compensated on a per act basis, she seeks larger compensation by being a slut in general.

17 posted on 05/20/2005 10:10:50 AM PDT by Protagoras (The goal is power, the tool is deceit.)
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To: billorites

So this political groupie and whore decides to write her diary on the internet using Initials and a first name and this idiot jumps up and says "thats me". Not too bright.

The 5th rule of screwing around is denial. If they show your wife pictures, say" That guy sure looks a lot like me , but it isnt me." Never make an admission.

I havent of course read her diary , but may I assume she said things like. "He laid out short", or "his plumbing leaves a lot to be desired."

Since this girl has spread herself around the Hill his first concern should be an AIDS examination because maybe this girl went with one of Barney Fwanks aids, Aides, AIDS, whatever word works.

If a movie is made they should get Madonna to play her part , she is made for the role.No one would have any problem relating Madonna to being a tramp.


18 posted on 05/20/2005 10:12:09 AM PDT by sgtbono2002
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To: sgtbono2002

In case you're interested, here's a link to the blog that I just found on the web.

So far, reading it is about as interesting as watching paint dry.

http://washingtoniennearchive.blogspot.com/


19 posted on 05/20/2005 10:13:41 AM PDT by Publius Valerius
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To: sgtbono2002

Madonna's at least twice Cutler's age.


20 posted on 05/20/2005 10:14:06 AM PDT by Xenalyte (End women's suffrage! Hasn't the country suffered enough?)
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To: billorites

maybe she slept with more than one guy with initials R.S.? at the rate she seems to be going, she may cover every combination and permuation soon anyway.


21 posted on 05/20/2005 10:15:01 AM PDT by isom35
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To: Publius Valerius

From a quic skim of the site I would say they may have reason for charges of prostitution. I am sure her Mom nad Dad would be proud of this slut.


22 posted on 05/20/2005 10:21:50 AM PDT by sgtbono2002
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To: billorites
Jessica Cutler, whose brief employment on DeWine's staff

Hmm...

23 posted on 05/20/2005 10:23:00 AM PDT by Physicist
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To: billorites

I don't know if she owes him damages, but from the sound of it, he should be paid commissions similar to those collected by professional PR types.


24 posted on 05/20/2005 10:25:40 AM PDT by Old Professer (As darkness is the absence of light, evil is the absence of good; innocence is blind.)
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To: Baynative

So what does this mean when clicking the link:ERROR
The requested URL could not be retrieved




While trying to retrieve the URL: http://127.0.0.1:8000/img/134/1312/320/jessica-cutler.jpg

The following error was encountered:

Access Denied.
Access control configuration prevents your request from being allowed at this time. Please contact your service provider if you feel this is incorrect.

Your cache administrator is root.


25 posted on 05/20/2005 10:27:19 AM PDT by eastforker (Under Cover FReeper going dark(too much 24))
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To: eastforker
No idea why you're server can't source.Maybe a blocker? Anyway, when I click the link, I get this...


26 posted on 05/20/2005 10:32:31 AM PDT by Baynative (Liberals are proof that not everything in nature has a purpose.)
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To: eastforker

I think it means that the firewall on your server just did you a favor (or thinks it did).


27 posted on 05/20/2005 10:43:55 AM PDT by BenLurkin (O beautiful for patriot dream - that sees beyond the years)
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To: Publius Valerius

"...this idiot jumps up and says "thats me".

That's what Paula Jones did too. In her case I think her first name was used, which is a little more particular than just initials.


28 posted on 05/20/2005 10:46:35 AM PDT by jocon307 (Irish grandmother rolls in grave, yet again.)
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To: BenLurkin

That's good then. I am using Norman protection and so far have been quite pleased with it.


29 posted on 05/20/2005 10:51:03 AM PDT by eastforker (Under Cover FReeper going dark(too much 24))
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To: Publius Valerius

LLB


30 posted on 05/20/2005 10:54:47 AM PDT by Xenophobic Alien (Nuke the whales! -- You really want to nuke whales? -- Well ya got to nuke something. -- Touche')
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To: billorites

What a pig, if someone is paying her for sex then she should be charged with prostitution.


31 posted on 05/20/2005 11:01:59 AM PDT by Dengar01
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To: billorites

Hey, you slept with her, and she blabs about it, your privacy hasn't been infringed... perhaps if you thought more with your frontal lobe, than your frontal organ you might not find yourself in this spot moron.


32 posted on 05/20/2005 11:04:30 AM PDT by HamiltonJay
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To: billorites

Charming


33 posted on 05/20/2005 11:43:19 AM PDT by Hillary's Lovely Legs (You know it's Springtime in Cape Cod when a Kennedy is driving on the sidewalk.)
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To: BenLurkin; Baynative; Publius Valerius; kAcknor; Hillary's Lovely Legs
Is that a recent picture of her, HLL? In any case, that first picture of her just called to my mind an 80s hit:

Oooh here she comes. Watch out, boy, she'll chew you up. Oooh here she comes. She's a maneater.

34 posted on 05/20/2005 11:47:51 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady." - Tolkien)
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To: billorites

one more whore for a dollar in Washington. I'm shocked.
she should run for Congress.


35 posted on 05/20/2005 11:48:09 AM PDT by Rakkasan1 (The MRS wanted to go to an expensive place to eat so I took her to the gas station.)
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To: Physicist

LOL!


36 posted on 05/20/2005 11:59:55 AM PDT by Tax-chick (I'm a shallow, demagoguic sectarian because it's easier than working for a living.)
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To: Hillary's Lovely Legs

Reminds me a little of Shannen Doherty. (I've often said that all the really weird people seem to favor one another.)


37 posted on 05/20/2005 12:01:14 PM PDT by Tax-chick (I'm a shallow, demagoguic sectarian because it's easier than working for a living.)
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