This week we have two cases rivaling for the most frivolous litigation of the year. In Pennsylvania, Cathy Cruz Marrero is shown in the video below texting while walking through the mall. Marrero was not looking where she is going and walks right in a fountain. She has now retained counsel. In the meantime, Hubert Blackman of New York City is suing a Las Vegas company after a prostitute failed to give him a full hour of service.
Ironically, Marrero complains that the video is terribly embarrassing, but no one knew her identity before she sued. She insists that security should have been more helpful. She explained “I’m just like dumbfounded. And all I kept saying was, ‘I fell. I fell. I fell in the fountain. I fell in the fountain.'” She says that security just laughed and someone then leaked the video.
What is astonishing is that this was a remarkably careless (and laughable) act committed in public. Yet, Marrero, 46, believes that she is entitled to recovery over the release of the video or mirthful response of security.
It appears that she may have worked at the mall. Her attorney is quoted as saying “[w]e are troubled by the fact that anyone at the Berkshire Mall responsible for releasing this video would find humor in an employee injured on the premises.” Yet, she did not appear on duty at the time of the accident and said she was texting a friend. If true, that would make her just another person walking in public in a mall. Moreover, one could not recognize her face in the video below.
It was Marrero who went on national television and made herself a household name.
Marrero insists that she simply wants to warn people of the dangers of texting: she warned on national television “Do not text and walk.” I would add “do not text, walk, and sue.”
In the meantime, Blackman also appears willing to become a national laughing stock. On a trip to Las Vegas, Blackman, a college student, allegedly hired Las Vegas Exclusive Personals to send a stripper to his room. He says that she stripped and gave him a lap dance for $155. He then reportedly arranged sex for an additional $120. Blackman called the company to complain that the woman did not stay for the entire hour. When the company dismissed the complaint, Blackman went to the police who informed him that he had committed a crime and suggested that he call the Better Business Bureau.
Blackman charges in his lawsuit that “an escort did an illegal sexual act on me during her paid service to me and “I almost had gotten arrested.” In a filing alleging mental duress filed without an attorney, he is demanding $275 back as well as $1.8 million damages.
We are only in the first weeks of 2011 and this is pretty tough competition.
Source: ABC and Consumerist
Source: Las Vegas Sun and Reddit
Jonathan Turley
Lawyers don’t take cases especially on contingency unless the case will have legal standing in the Courts and they have a reasonable chance of obtaining a settlement. Since a lawyer accepted taking on her case it’s a reasonable indication that she can pursue a cause of action. Do I agree with this no, but this is a great example of how the law isn’t just black and white it operates with a lot of shades of gray.
Elaine:
“Better Bimbo Bureau”
LOL
Well, what’s a girl supposed to do? It sounds like the fellow…uh…got “done” early.
What did he want?
A sock-puppet show after that?
Thats probably all he could do:LOL!!!!
“HenMan 1, January 24, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Maybe Mr. Blackman just wanted to cuddle for the last 58 minutes. How romantic!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCJuy4kYAWI&w=640&h=390]
Maybe Mr. Blackman just wanted to cuddle for the last 58 minutes. How romantic!
Elaine M.
1, January 24, 2011 at 2:09 pm
“When the company dismissed the complaint, Blackman went to the police who informed him that he had committed a crime and suggested that he call the Better Business Bureau.”
Are you sure they didn’t suggest he call the Better Bimbo Bureau?
================================================
lol … you are on a roll today!
I wonder if either of them are going to get a piece of the action….does the guy know that when the Pro says times up, its up…you may pay for an hour….but its a lot like bar time it is what is it….you may only get 50 minutes…
FYI….PROSTITUTION AND THE ENGAGING OF THE SERVICES OF ONE IS A CRIME IN CLARK COUNTY…..THE STATE LAW IS THAT IT IS LEGAL SO LONG AS THE COUNTY POPULATION IS LESS THAN 50 THOUSAND…Which pretty much puts Clark County off of the map…..DON’T ASK HOW I KNOW….
Texting whilst walking….we’ll don’t do it….
“When the company dismissed the complaint, Blackman went to the police who informed him that he had committed a crime and suggested that he call the Better Business Bureau.”
Are you sure they didn’t suggest he call the Better Bimbo Bureau?
eniobob:
now that was funny. Never send a kid to a hooker, waste of money.
What, no video of the guy who couldn’t keep his Vegas tryst going for an hour?
raff,
The Texter lady isn’t completely out of luck.
There may be no cash forthcoming, but her own actions gave her a degree of notoriety.
In re: contracting for illegal services. That was my first reaction too. I imagine he can sue for it mainly because he found a lawyer willing to take his money so they can both be laughed at by a judge.
Didn’t anyone tell this guy that anything that happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? How can he sue for a contractual issue when the contract was illegal?
The Texter lady sounds like she wanted some notoriety and cash. She thinks this is her “Lotto” moment and she better take advantage of it while she can. She is out of luck!
And please tell us why, or should we guess?
“Blackman called the company to complain that the woman did not stay for the entire hour.”
I wonder if Ms. Cruz was texting a prostitute ….
The Marrero case it seems from what seems to be a no starter, she pending in court for 5 grand stolen from a credit card. As to the guy in Vegas, Blackman, is the guy nuts?? Fast life fast times, cant keep up or don’t get it, stay away eh. yes its the first 2 weeks or so of the new year…………………cant wait to see what does come down the pike………gotta wonder eh…….LOL.