HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Talk about an early Christmas present.
A Maryland judge has ordered Jon Gosselin to quit making media appearances that TLC claims violates his contract with the network, the Associated Press reports.
The ruling was handed down Thursday during a one-day hearing in Maryland that Gosselin did not attend. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Michael D. Mason granted the preliminary injunction, pending the outcome of a trial that is scheduled to begin on April 19.
TLC Chief Operating Officer Edward Sabin testified that the reality star has made unauthorized appearances and endorsements. He cited a pool party that Gosselin hosted at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, noting that photos from the event went against the wholesome image of Jon & Kate Plus 8.
"What we wanted to avoid was exactly what happened," Sabin told the judge. "The next day in the tabloids were photos of Mr. Gosselin surrounded by bikini-clad women."
In October, TLC sued Gosselin, 32, for violating his contract by allegedly making paid and unpaid TV appearances without the cable network's permission.
Gosselin responded by filing a $5 million countersuit last month, accusing TLC of damaging his career and reputation. The counterclaim was filed in District Court in Rockville, Md., where TLC's parent company, Discovery Communications, is based.
The turmoil between Gosselin and TLC heated up when the network revealed plans to rebrand the show Kate Plus 8. The showbiz dad responded by trying to halt filming of his children, which resulted in TLC suspending production on the series.
The reality star's attorney, Mark Heller, contends there's no reason for the network to stand in the way of Gosselin earning a living, particularly since the series has since been rebranded without his client's involvement.
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