A former US Senate candidate is suing Sacha Baron Cohen for £74 million after being pranked during an appearance on the comedian’s latest TV show.
Roy Moore is suing Cohen for 95 million dollars after appearing in an episode of Who Is America? in July.
The former Alabama Senate candidate, 71, believed he was accepting an award for his support for Israel during an interview with Cohen, who was in character as Colonel Erran Morad.
Instead, a “paedophile detector” was waved at Moore, which beeped when waved near the former politician.
When the device sounded, Moore stopped the interview and said: “I’ve been married for 33 years. Never had an accusation of such things.
“Certainly, I’m not a paedophile, OK?”
In legal documents lodged in Washington DC, Moore accused the Borat star or portraying him as a sex offender.
The lawsuit includes the production company behind Who Is America?, Showtime, and the show’s network, CBS.
It states: “This false and fraudulent portrayal and mocking of Judge Moore as a sex offender, on national and international television, which was widely broadcast in this district on national television and worldwide, has severely harmed Judge Moore’s reputation and caused him, Mrs Moore, and his entire family severe emotional distress, as well as caused and will cause plaintiffs financial damage.”
Moore signed a release before appearing on the show but claims it is void because it was signed under false pretences.
Moore, 71, was accused by nine women of sexual misconduct during his race for the Alabama Senate last November. He denied the allegations.
British comedian Cohen is also known for shows his characters Ali G and Bruno.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
