Reporter Who Says She Watched Heath Ledger Use Drugs Sues Paparazzi

Posted by Eriq Gardner

Should a freelance reporter for one of the world's biggest magazines have an expectation of privacy when hanging out with a famous celebrity who is snorting cocaine?

That's our question when reading this complaint by a Jane Doe, a "freelance reporter for People Magazine, covering the SAG Award 'after party'...," who is suing a photo agency and two paparazzi.

The fact that Heath Ledger was there, allegedly using cocaine, has gotten all the attention, but the lawsuit against Splash News, Gary Morgan, Eric Munn and Darren Banks isn't really about that. The defendants allegedly taped Ledger and the plaintiff (who says she didn't do drugs) in secret, and the tape later appeared on "Entertainment Tonight."

The plaintiff claims fraud, intrusion, trespass, intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of privacy, and more.

The complaint also says the plaintiff was "occasionally dating" one of the defendants, Banks, identified herein as a "paparazzo photographer." Maybe it's unfair to blame the victim, but shouldn't Ms. Doe have had an idea what she was getting into?