Community Corner

Bristol Palin Lawsuit Over Saddle Ranch Spat Dropped

Stephen Hanks sued the realty star for allegedly calling him a homosexual after he said her mother was a "whore."

A talent manager who heckled Bristol Palin at the Saddle Ranch last year has dropped his defamation lawsuit against her.

Stephen Hanks was filmed at the West Hollywood bar calling Palin's mother, former Alaska Gov. Sara Palin, a "whore." The footage was captured by a crew working on the Lifetime reality series Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp.

Hanks' lawsuit alleges Palin called him a homosexual when she confronted him about the heckling, and accuses her of invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He was suing her for unspecified damages. A one-page document filed Sept. 5 in Los Angeles Superior Court by Hanks' lawyer says the action to drop the defamation suit was being taken "without prejudice," meaning Hanks can proceed with the case in the future.

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The lawsuit had first been dismissed in federal court before it was re-filed in state court. Hanks is still going forward with a suit against Lifetime, claiming he did not sign a wavier to appear on the show, though footage of the incident was broadcast by the cable channel.

This article was compiled with information from City News Service.

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