BBC News | AMERICAS | George Michael video case dismissed

BBC News Online: World: Americas

Thursday, 17 February, 2000, 02:36 GMT

George Michael video case dismissed

By Peter Bowes in Los Angeles

An attempt by an undercover Los Angeles policeman to sue the singer George Michael has been dismissed by a court in California.

The officer who arrested Michael for lewd behaviour in a public lavatory two years ago went to court over an irreverent pop video released shortly after the incident. The toilet where Michael was arrested

Marcelo Rodriguez claimed the video - for the song Outside - caused him emotional and mental distress and that the singer was profiting at his expense.

A Superior Court judge in Los Angeles said Mr Rodriguez was a public official and could not under law recover damages for alleged emotional distress.

A statement from the singer's publicist said the court's ruling completely vindicated Michael and his works.

'Slander'

The video featured men dancing in tight black leather uniforms and included scenes with two policemen kissing.

Mr Rodriguez's $10m law suit also alleged slander, citing interviews given by Michael in which he claimed he had been set up by what appeared to be a good-looking gay man.

Responding to the law suit last September, Michael said it was a classic case of American law at its craziest.

Michael was arrested after committing a lewd act in the presence of the officer in a Beverly Hills public lavatory in April 1998.

He pleaded no contest to the charge. He was fined $800 and ordered to do community service.

Related to this story:
George Michael 'faces second lawsuit' (18 Sep 99 | Entertainment)
George Michael's red light video (25 Nov 99 | Entertainment)
George Michael faces $10m lawsuit (14 Sep 99 | Entertainment)

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