October 23, 2008 @ 11:51 am

Oprah Sued for $180 Million

Linda Hobbs

Man accuses talk show host of making false statements

A Louisiana man is suing Oprah Winfrey for $180 million, after claims the popular talk show host gave false statements to the FBI, which led to his being arrested in 2006.

Keifer Bonvillain says that he was wrongfully accused of attempting to extort Winfrey. Bonvillain was arrested that December at his home in Houma, after allegedly recording a phone conversation with one of Winfrey’s production company employees and saying he wanted to publish a book using the information from the recorded material.

According to CNN, Bonvillain received tabloid offers that ranged from $500,000 to $3 million. One company eventually agreed to pay Bonvillain $1.5 million, and made arrangements to meet him. At this point, FBI moved in to arrest him.

Because Bonvillain agreed to perform 50 hours of community service, pay $3,000 in restitution, and undergo drug testing, charges were dismissed. He says that his lawsuit against Winfrey is mainly due to “damages.”

"There was substantial damage done to my name and reputation on a world level," CNN reports Bonvillain saying via statement. "The extent of my damages is vast."

Winfrey’s lawyer, Chip Babcock, denies the allegations against the host.

Article tags: Oprah Winfrey 

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