David Beckham has filed suit against the publishing company behind In Touch magazine – and an alleged former prostitute — for slander, libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress after it published a story alleging that the soccer star had sex with a prostitute – something he has vehemently denied.
In the lawsuit, filed on Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, and obtained by Access Hollywood, Beckham claimed In Touch Weekly’s October 4 story, “David’s Dangerous Betrayal” is full of “lies.”
Beckham claimed that through his legal team, he told the magazine that the cover story was not true before the piece was published, but the publication chose to run the article anyway, “with the intent to profit by causing harm” to the star.
The athlete went on to assert that Irma Nici, an alleged former prostitute, who claimed to the mag that “she had an affair with Beckham in 2007,” was not telling the truth. He also claimed that it is clear she had a “malicious intent to profit from spreading lies” about the soccer star, as he claimed is proven by her website, which features the statement, “If your [sic] a media outlet and interested in purchasing Irma’s photos please e-mail us.”
The soccer star said he has been caused “great mental anguish and emotional distress” by the story and that his reputation has also been hurt.
Beckham is suing for $25 million for each of his three complaints for a total of $75 million.
When reached for comment by Access, a rep for Nici said she stands by her previous statements.
“Any lawsuit against her is a publicity stunt and without merit,” the statement from Nici’s rep read. “We are highly confident that Irma can provide enough detail and other forms of proof to persuade a jury that her tryst with David Beckham did indeed take place. Mr. Beckham had better be prepared to drop his pants in court if he wants to pursue this matter as he has distinguishing characteristics, which will prove without a doubt that Irma is telling the truth… Mr. Beckham’s baseless lawsuit is understandable- after all he has to tell Posh something.”
A rep for In Touch issued a statement to Access noting they stood by their story.
“In Touch published its article in complete faith in the accuracy of the story and its reporting. Notwithstanding Mr. Beckham’s denial, the magazine did not doubt and had no reason to doubt their multiple sources. In Touch is confident that Mr. Beckham’s lawsuit will be dismissed,” the statement to Access read.
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