Private Photos Posted Online, Lawsuit Claims
Last updated Friday, November 21, 2008 7:29 PM CST in News
By Ron Wood
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- A Bella Vista couple has sued McDonald's for at least $3 million after nude photographs of the woman were allegedly taken off her husband's misplaced cell phone and posted on the Internet.
Phillip and Tina Sherman say Phillip left his cell phone at McDonald's on Sixth Street in Fayetteville on July 5. Tina Sherman then began receiving offensive calls and text messages about the pictures, then learned her pictures, which she had sent her husband, had been posted on-line along with her name, address and phone number.
The Web site allegedly described how McDonald's employees retrieved the pictures from a phone left at the restaurant.
Before the pictures and information could be taken down, Tina Sherman began receiving threats and lewd, explicit and obscene text messages and phone calls from strangers who had seen the site. There were also similar comments posted on the web site, according to the suit.
The suit names McDonald's Corp., Matthews Management Co. and a manager, Aaron Brummley. Employees of the restaurant had allegedly promised to secure the cell phone, turn it off and safeguard it until Phillip Sherman could retrieve it.
The suit seeks no less than $1 million for outrage; no less than $1 million for public disclosure of private facts; and, no less than $1 million for casting the Shermans in a false light.
The suit seeks damages to be determined by a jury for negligence and negligent supervision.
The suit contends the couple and their family suffered severe mental and emotional distress, physical injury, pain and suffering, embarrassment, damage to their reputations and fear. They also allege loss of earnings and are seeking the cost for having to move to a new residence.
Attempts to contact the Shermans and their attorney were unsuccessful Friday.
Reader Comments (4 comment(s))
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jonny290 wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:38 PM:
However, consider the fact that by placing this woman's pictures, name and address online, the employees put her very life at risk.
Those of you who cry "scam" or joke have probably never been victims of threats, stalkers, or identity theft. "
Gramps wrote on Nov 24, 2008 9:48 PM:


native44 wrote on Nov 21, 2008 9:36 PM: