LEGAL FILE

A Matter of Identity: A man who appeared on “Geraldo” sued the host, Geraldo Rivera, for $28 million, claiming he revealed his identity after promising not to do so. Carl J. Ober said in his lawsuit that he was included in a segment of the syndicated television show titled “Telephone Terror” with women who were victims of telephone harassment. Ober, who was not pictured, appeared as an alleged telephone harasser under a written and verbal agreement with Rivera that his identity would not be revealed. On at least two occasions during the show, the lawsuit cites Rivera for calling him “Carl” and on at least two other occasions referring to him as Carl Ober. Also named as defendants in the lawsuit were a producer, Marilyn Kaskel and the Investigative News Group Inc., Rivera’s production company.