Bristol Palin Sued Over Bar Spat, Heckler Objects to Reality Show Appearance

Stephen Hanks is already a viral video star, but he does not want to be a reality star.

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Hanks, the man who was captured on camera last September shouting obscene comments at Bristol Palin in a West Hollywood bar, has filed a federal lawsuit against the political scion, according to E! News. The spat quickly made the web rounds (via Hollywood TV) but when it was shown on promos for Palin’s Lifetime reality show, Life’s a Tripp, Hanks cried foul.

Hanks said that he was not asked to sign a release by the camera crew inside Saddle Ranch, where the incident occurred. While Palin was riding a mechanical bull, Hanks yelled, “Your mother’s a whore” and informed her that he hoped her mother, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, would go to hell. The younger Palin fired back with a slew of homophobic remarks.

Hanks is suing for unspecified damages, alleging defamation, invasion of right to privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and misappropriation of right of publicity. At the time of the incident, Hanks had issued an apology through his lawyer, saying, “I wish Bristol success with her television show, and much happiness in the future.”

Lawyer Michael Gulden said that Hanks was unaware that he was being filmed until after Palin left the bar with her camera crew. He was allegedly told by management that the crew had permission for limited filming of Palin and her pals.