Former U.S. Rep. George Santos is claiming late-night host Jimmy Kimmel went too far for a joke and needs to pay for his actions.
Santos, who was kicked out of the House of Representatives, claims Kimmel used fake names and paid Santos to make Cameo videos, which Kimmel then made fun of, the Associated Press reported.
The complaint was filed in Manhattan federal court on Saturday. Kimmel, ABC and Walt Disney Co. are named as defendants, according to the AP.
Kimmel, using false names, hired Santos to make videos “capitalizing on and ridiculing” his “gregarious personality,” the lawsuit alleges.
Kimmel allegedly purchased 14 videos for $400-$500 each.
“Santos, who was expelled from the House of Representatives last year after being charged with multiple counts of fraud and stealing from donors, is suing over alleged copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract and unjust enrichment,” the AP reported.
After his expulsion from the House, Santos started making Cameo videos, which are personalized videos made by celebrities.
Santos is seeking at least $750,000 in damages.
“Jimmy, sorry that my Christmas gift to you came late, but here’s to making wishes come true. I hope you enjoy reading your lawsuit for fraud that you’ve been looking forward to,” Santos said to the New York Post.
Santos congratulated a supposed winner of a beef-eating contest in one of the videos, the AP reported.
“‘Frankly, Kimmel’s fake requests were funny, but what he did was clear violation of copyright law,’” Robert Fantone, an attorney for Santos, said in an email, according to the AP.