Hunter Biden is suing Fox News on accusations it violated New York revenge porn laws by publishing sexually explicit images of him without his consent.
The images of the president's son were included in the network's six-part miniseries called "The Trial of Hunter Biden," which Fox said was a mock trial showing "how a possible Hunter Biden trial might look."
In the newly filed complaint, attorneys for the president's son called the fictionalized series an "unlawful commercial exploitation" of Biden's image, name and likeness that mixed false claims with real photographs and emails to make the viewer unable to "decipher what is fact and what is fiction," the lawsuit states.
The attorneys said in addition to the "exploitation," the so-called "evidence" included "numerous intimate images (both still and video)" depicting Biden "in the nude, depicting an unclothed or exposed intimate part of him, as well as engaged in sex acts." They allege the dissemination of these images to its "vast audience of millions" was done to "humiliate, harass, annoy, and alarm Mr. Biden and to tarnish his reputation."
"Fox knew that these private and confidential images were hacked, stolen, and/or manipulated digital material which were intended to remain private and confidential, but which had been unlawfully procured and disseminated without Mr. Biden's consent," the lawsuit states.
Related: What's next for Hunter Biden after guilty verdict in federal gun trial?
The lawsuit alleges Fox and its parent company Fox Corporation — which is also listed as a defendant along with 100 John and Jane Does — knowingly violated the law by publishing and disseminating the images, which they say have caused Biden "severe emotional distress, humiliation, and mental anguish, as well as irreparable injury to his personal and professional reputation."
The complaint brings forth claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and unjust enrichment in addition to the violation of New York Civil Rights Law Section 52-b. It requests a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages, disgorgement of profits from "The Trial of Hunter Biden" and other forms of relief.
"The Trial of Hunter Biden" became available on Fox Nation, the conservative network's streaming service, in Oct. 2022, but it was removed after Biden threatened to sue in April. However, the suit states promotional reels and clips of the program still remain on Fox Nation's social media and some third-party streaming platforms.
In a statement responding to the suit, Fox News said it removed the program "in an abundance of caution." It also called Biden's lawsuit "entirely politically motivated" and "devoid of merit," while claiming its actions were protected under the First Amendment, per Axios.
Biden was found guilty on three federal firearm charges related to lying on a gun purchase form. He's appealing the verdict while also facing a federal tax-related case, scheduled to begin in September.
