Kate Gosselin filed a lawsuit today against her former husband Jon Gosselin and Robert Hoffman, the author of a book that was pulled from Amazon.com two days after it was released a year ago this month. Announced on bullyville.com, the filing names Jon, Hoffman, and 20 unnamed “John and Jane Does” alleging they accessed confidential info from Kate’s cell phone, emails, computer and online banking accounts. The filing also says the duo worked with others and published the illegally obtained information. Kate, through her attorneys, Mulvihill & Rushie LLC and the Randazza Legal Group, filed the suit in The United States District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania . We have one question right out of the gate: Are you sure there are only 20 co conspirators??
At the heart of the suit is Kate’s claim that her former husband stole a hard drive from her computer, hacked her phone, emails, and online bank accounts, and gave the information to Hoffman and the 20 Jane/Jon Does. The filing alleges, they then used the info “to spread false, defamatory and unflattering information about Kate Gosselin for the purpose of profiting from the book and tabloid publications”. The ebook appeared to be largely comprised of Kate’s emails, contracts, and alleged journal entries interspersed with Hoffman’s own very lengthy thoughts and creepy messages directed at Kate. Hoffman contends he found Kate’s personal files on disks he dug out of her garbage, inspiring some of her fans to dub him, “Trash Man”. Yes, he said that. He’s gone through Kate Gosselin’s garbage more than once apparently, and he claims he scored a HARD DRIVE?
In April, Radar Online reproduced text messages from 2009 they said Jon sent to his (and our favorite) ex-girlfriend Hailey Glassman, suggesting he planned to grab Kate’s hard drive to give to a friend. “I will put the nail in her coffin someday from it,” one text read. Ouch.
Bullyville took up Kate’s cause vowing in April to help bring lawsuits against Jon, Hoffman, and others tied to their alleged lying-for-profit schemes. Among the possible defendants Bullyville named then is the lawyer who runs a Kate-hate blog and once owned another even-less-nice-than-a-hate-blog-but-profitable-if-you-know-what-I-mean website. She recently stated online that Jon Gosselin was her source for information about his custody of his children. Jon has later confirmed in interviews that the custody story is false, prompting Gosselin watchers to wonder why Jon would be a source for false information. The custody story was used by Kate’s critics to claim Kate was lying about her financial support and physical custody of her children. Not unrelated: the blogging lawyer has also claimed for months that she is privy to inside information about the Gosselins from the kid’s school activities to Kate’s supposed undiagnosed mental health issues a “source” told her about. The lawyer, however, has not been named in today’s suit. Just 20 John and Jane Does.
We will be adding updates to this breaking news story as they happen.
Lily@IW says
August 26, 2013 at 10:58 amThat Jon was a source to BL, and a lying source at that, is disgusting. What Robert and Jon have done to Kate is beyond cruel. They tried to destroy her with no thought to the children. She’s the one supporting them, keeping a roof over their head, keeping them in their school. Without any thought to that, they did everything they could to ruin her. Jon and Robert are low-lifes, total sleazes.
Jen says
August 26, 2013 at 10:59 amI agree with everything you just said Lily. Jon brought all this on himself.
Deborah says
August 26, 2013 at 11:04 amLmao,
Yes Hailey is my most favorite ex girlfriend.
She is the only one smart enough to not get suckered for the long ride.
All I can say about the rest is its about time!
Deborah says
August 26, 2013 at 11:06 amOh Lily, you are so right.
#Scum!
shawn says
August 26, 2013 at 11:10 amWas waiting for this day to come. Hopefully this will give other women the courage to come forward when they are dealing with lowlife, manipulating, spouses.
Really….How long are you supposed to put up with this nonsense?
Ann@IW says
August 26, 2013 at 11:16 amI predict he will cave and cooperate with Kate. Knowing Kate she wants his involvement swept under the rug because of the kids. IMO it’s the other defendants she’s after.
MsGoody2Shoes says
August 26, 2013 at 11:17 amI’m in total agreement with Lily!
Montana says
August 26, 2013 at 11:56 amLike most of you I imagine, I’ve always wondered how this story would end. Its awful what these people have wanted to do to Kate. I thought of the children while reading the court documents . A malicious attack against the mother & sole supporter of 8 beautiful children is an attack against the children too.
I’m very glad that Bullyville came along and has been instrumental in Kate having her day in court.
chardonnay says
August 26, 2013 at 12:24 pmI totally agree with Ann and Lily. It is despicable what Jon and Hoffman allegedly did. They gave not one thought to those children. Sad. Sad. Sad.
Anya@IW says
August 26, 2013 at 12:29 pmWow. I just find this so upsetting, although I am happy that Kate is taking action and that she has people behind her helping her. I hate to use the word “evil”, but it fits here. I took a look at a couple of comments on Radar and some people just don’t get it (or are just too stubborn or dumb to allow themselves to get it). How would any of us feel if someone took our hard drive, along with other personal documents and shared them with anyone and everyone? It doesn’t matter whether you think there is anything ‘interesting’ on there or not. It is just such a complete violation of privacy. And for Kate to know that her husband/father of her children is involved. I don’t know how she is able to handle it and keep going on and providing for those children. I say this with utmost sincerity – she is really remarkable and a great mother!
snickers says
August 26, 2013 at 12:32 pmSo sad to hear that Jon was behind some of the destruction of his own children, what kind of Dad would ever think this is right. Those kids deserve better in life and Kate has always carried the majority of responsibilities. Jon pays no cs, can’t keep a job, so he would be better in jail if this is proven, so he can’t hurt his own children again.
I linked this from Arts and Entertainment site, IW’s article is there. :))))
Diane says
August 26, 2013 at 1:56 pmI agree with what everyone has said. I also stand behind Kate on this decision. It is sad Jon’s involvement in this. I feel Kate really prayed on this decision to go forward, since it involved the children. But I also think it teaching her children that any form of bullying is wrong and there are serious repercussions for such behavior.
What they are writing on Radar comments is obnoxious as usual and make no sense as usual.
Lily@IW says
August 26, 2013 at 2:52 pmIt’s unbelievable that BL’s group is trashing Kate for filing suit. Apparently, as a mother, you’re supposed to take it with a grin that your husband and his friend conspired and spread lies about you. It was alright for Jon and Hoffman to sell stories to the tabloids to put money in their own pockets. It’s fine for Hoffman to write that Kate had an abortion in high school. But, heaven forbid Kate stand up for herself and do something about it.
Hopefully this will give other women the courage to come forward when they are dealing with lowlife, manipulating, spouses.
Really….How long are you supposed to put up with this nonsense? ~ Shawn
I hope so too. I believe Kate brought this lawsuit in part to protect the children from the actions of Robert and Jon. Jon and Robert would continue on without legal intervention. I think this was her only recourse.
Carol says
August 26, 2013 at 4:10 pmAnya,agree 100%! How Kate has kept going through all of this is remarkable, Lily great comment,I’ve never understood their logic that anything negative about Jon damages the children,but hating on Kate has no effect on the kids.
stxmom says
August 26, 2013 at 5:08 pmI’m sure Kate did not come to the desicion to file suit lightly. This had to be tough. I wish her all the best. I’m glad to see her stand up for herself.
Marnie says
August 26, 2013 at 5:32 pmNo one comes to this decision lightly, I’m sure Kate is no exception. It’s been 2 years since the tv show went off the air and the haters are as rabid as ever. Kate kept a roof over their heads and food on their table. Her naysayers can scream all they want but she’s been there, she’s the steady in the kids lives. That deserves some credit.
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On the flip side, I can’t help but feel this is a no win situation. Jon is their Dad and it’s too bad it’s come to this.
stxmom says
August 26, 2013 at 5:52 pmReading on another blog that Kate’s lawsuit is all about money, that made me laugh, Kate knows neither Jon or Robert have any money
Pattypie says
August 26, 2013 at 6:12 pmIt’s a sad situation for sure but sometimes the other party leaves you no option but to sue.
JennieIW says
August 26, 2013 at 9:09 pmWow. I wish Kate the best of luck in pursuing this – I’m assuming/hoping that her lawyers have a good case. (That’s not meant to doubt that any of this occurred, just that it can be proven.) Of course none of these defendants has any money, but winning the suit will hopefully put a stop to the defamation and unmask the real villains here (though of course some will never admit that they are wrong). I hope Jon does cooperate – it’s in his best interests and his childrens’ (the latter is something he should have been thinking about all along).
Brandy says
September 1, 2013 at 12:54 pmNo matter what Kate does, haters will criticize it. If she fights, she’s vindictive and not thinking of its effect on the kids, if she doesn’t, she’s a whimp or Jon was right all along and she knows she hasn’t a leg to stand on. It’s no fun being in Kate’s shoes and I admire her courage.