LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Two of the three producers of a film directed by Rebel Wilson who are suing the Australian film star for defamation are seeking to remove a company in which they have an ownership as a defendant in her countersuit, arguing that a California court has no jurisdiction over the firm.
In the underlying suit, plaintiffs Amanda Ghost, Gregor Cameron and Vince Holden sued Wilson last July 12 in Los Angeles Superior Court after the actor posted to her 11 million Instagram followers that the producers of the film “The Deb” had engaged in theft, bullying and sexual misconduct.
On Oct. 1, Wilson countersued the trio as well as Unigram Media Ltd., in which Ghost and Cameron, who are married, have a minority interest.
“Their involvement in the film was marked by a troubling pattern of egregious and illicit behaviors, including theft, bullying and sexual misconduct,” the countersuit states.
But in a sworn declaration filed Thursday with Judge Thomas D. Long in support of quashing the summons on Unigram, Ghost says the company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and does not operate in California or the U.S. In addition, Unigram does not pay income or property taxes in California and does not own property in the state.
“There is no nexus between Unigram and California,” Ghost further says.
The producers’ legal team includes Camille M. Vasquez, who represented Johnny Depp in his dueling litigation with former spouse Amber Heard. In the motion to quash, Vasquez says that even if a California court had jurisdiction over Unigram, the countersuit concerns a dispute regarding a film made in Australia and contracts and “contemplate” the law of New South Wales.
“Here, at most the (countersuit) alleges that Wilson met with Ghost in Los Angeles and that some discussion of financing for and a partnership related to the film occurred…,” Vasquez writes.
A hearing on the Unigram motion to quash is scheduled May 13.
In the plaintiffs’ lawsuit, Ghost describes through a sworn declaration the alleged damage to her name.
“I have suffered significant harm as a result of Wilson’s defamation, including the emotional and reputation harm and the embarrassment of being smeared as a criminal embezzler and sexual abuser in front of an audience of millions,” Ghost said.
Wilson’s statements additionally have disrupted efforts to sell the “The Deb,” jeopardizing and perhaps destroying the ability to recoup the producers’ investment or receive future profits, Ghost further contends.
The 45-year-old Wilson’s film credits include the 2011 comedy films “Bridesmaids” and “A Few Best Men.” Her attorneys include Bryan J. Freedman, who also represents several family members of brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez as well as actor Justin Baldoni.
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