Geraldo Sued for Revealing Man’s Identity
A man who appeared on “Geraldo” sued the host, Geraldo Rivera, and a producer Thursday for $28 million, claiming that they revealed his identity after promising not to do so.
Carl J. Ober said in his lawsuit that he appeared on a segment of the syndicated television show titled “Telephone Terror,” with women who were victimized by telephone harassment.
Ober of Albany appeared as an alleged telephone harasser under a written and verbal agreement with Rivera that his identity would not be revealed, the lawsuit said.
On at least two occasions during the show, Rivera called him “Carl” and on at least two other occasions referred to him as Carl Ober, the lawsuit said.
The show aired Feb. 15, 1990.
The lawsuit said Rivera disclosed Ober’s occupation and place of residence and identified a psychologist who is treating him.
The lawsuit said that on at least four occasions, Ober’s face was shown with the words, “Made obscene phone calls,” and Rivera called him a “sick person” who “verbally raped” women.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Rivera; a producer, Marilyn Kaskel, and the Investigative News Group Inc., Rivera’s production company.
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