Following the announcement this morning that TLC, the cable network behind Jon & Kate Plus 8 had filed suit against former title star Jon Gosselin for breach of contract, a lawyer for the super-studly reality father-of-eight has composed a response of his very own.
In a statement released to OK!, Jon’s legal eagle Mark Heller, Esq., writes:
Apparently, TLC has elected to initially litigate this case in the Court of Public Opinion, rather than the Circuit Court for Montgomery County Maryland because neither Jon nor I have been served with legal pleadings or informed by TLC of the instant litigation.
Remarkably, instead, I read the alleged Complaint on the internet, since it would appear that Discovery and TLC chose to pander and publicize their weak, feeble and baseless claim to the media rather than providing the Defendant with appropriate notice through the traditional judicial process.
Jon will vigorously defend against this baseless action, assuming Discovery and TLC choose to go forward with their claim by legally serving him with notice, and we are confident that through the course of litigation it will clearly be evident that Discovery and TLC exploited, manipulated and abused the Gosselins’ vulnerability and financial hardship.
We believe that the contract will be unenforceable in light of the fact that Discovery and TLC initially had Jon execute a complicated, complex and sophisticated agreement at a time when he had no legal representative. In any event, when TLC and Discovery ended the program “Jon & Kate plus eight” they also effectively terminated the purported contract and accordingly, any rights or obligations they perceived existed concerning Jon’s conduct or actions, rights or privileges from that point forward were also terminated.
The contract was against Public Policy because we believe Discovery and TLC violated Pennsylvania Child Labor Laws, failed to seek appropriate State and Municipal Permits, failed to pay the Gosselins fair consideration, and intentionally circumvented their responsibility to specifically designate legal and lawful compensation to the eight infant children, which is now the subject of an investigation by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and could result in summary Criminal Proceedings.
The purported Contract was also grossly overreaching and restrictive attempting to abridge the most basic Constitutional Right that all American citizens have of Freedom of Speech. Discovery and TLC has treated Jon Gosselin like a dog by attempting to keep him on a leash and muzzle him and deny the father of eight the opportunity to earn a livelihood to support his family.
All of the aforesaid, clearly, in our opinion, renders the alleged contract as null and void, unenforceable and unconscionable.
Clearly, this litigation has heralded in the battle of “David” against “Goliath” and Jon Gosselin fully intends to stand firm, protect his family and defend against TLC and Discovery who have been rumored to have enjoyed over $186 million dollars in revenue for one quarter, purportedly attributed to the success of the program “Jon & Kate plus eight”
This litigation is clearly a tactic that Discovery and TLC have initiated in furtherance of their hunger to jump back on the gravy train, but Jon Gosselin has decided to put the breaks on the Discovery and TLC trainwreck.
what about all the monies Kate has made being ion the view, and all the other stuff she has done does she get penalized to. She should return all the monies she has made. I hate the show and glad he did what he did. The ids need a break and enjoy life without the cameras.
Kate probably got permission from TLC
Kate got permission from TLC to do those shows. So she did not breach her contract. So what is your point?
The point is, its all one sided here. HELLOOOOOOO
We want the show to air…. TLC do whatever you need to keep them on going! these sweet children are just starting to grow up enough to show personality, and we have watched all along, we don’t want to be denied their cute school years. Please Jon, please Kate, keep us in your life. Our lives are work laden and most of T.V.’s offerings are rude and immoral , we so enjoy some clean cute entertainment.
how selfish you are? his own kids and you want TLC to have the last decision ? never seen some one like you lol.
WE want the show to air, WE have watched all along, WE don’t want to be denied…WE, WE, WE! You need to stop thinking about what YOU want, and start thinking about what’s ultimately best for these children. Seems quite obvious that you need to get out from in front of your reality tv shows, and start living your own life.
Well said, such a shame that these people actually think they have a right to gawk at these kids for ever, scarey fans out there
OHHH gee get a fregin life lady, or maybe a family of your own. You are sooo pathetic, must be Kate here, or yet another one of her zombies coming to life
I think that this is all so petty when it comes to these 8 kids. Whoever ends up caring for these kids needs means to support them. REGARDLESS of the situation, or legal contracts. I think all petty comments should be ceased, and really think about these kids here and their future.
I agreeeeeeee!
Jon Gosselin’s lawyer is so full of it!
Kate doesn’t get penalized because she received permission from TLC for her outside endeavors. Jon did not.
I think it’s hysterical that the lawyer is whining about not being served and having had to read the Complaint on the itnernet. The Complaint has to first be filed, then it is served on the defendant and as a lawyer he knows that. As for the claim that Jon signed the TLC contract without legal representation, that’s easy enough to disprove, not to mention there’s no way TLC would put that in their Complaint if it wasn’t true.
Jon’s been caught in lie after lie. IMO he’s really screwed now.
It is standard procedure for on-going litigation to NOT be publicly discussed, there is absolutely no reason for TLC to have publicized this the way they did, and then turn around and file…they are opening themselves up to a lawsuit by doing so. Heller is right, they haven’t actually done anything, they’re just trying to keep the show/Gosselins in the public eye in hopes they can revive that mess of a show.
Exactly, hope Jon sues TLC for every penny they mad from his kids
What took TLC so long to get their act together. They should have sued him two months ago. Kate must have protected him. You can’t be stabbing people in the back and expect no response. No company would tolerate this kind of behavior. He signed his name to a contract, what does he think was going to happen. I guess Jon does not understand responsibility and accountability for his actions. Well, he is going to learned this the hard way. Kate had 9 kids not 8. We are just beginning to see his Karma.
I think it takes time to build a case. They were probably gathering everything they could on Jon. The man dug his own grave and gave TLC plenty of ammunition.
jon is a tool, He is an irresponsible child! Grow up! pitty party for 1 please!
What was Jon thinking?! I have watched Jon and Kate since the beginning, and I like them both. I wish TLC would just let Jon out of his contract. They don’t want him on the show anyway. Let him go his own way and earn a living. But no…TLC wants to control him, and now they want to bankrupt him.
I bet TLC will “settle” if Jon lets them film his kids again.
The show will air their last little bit of episodes and then it’s going off the air in November. But guess what folks, TLC will still have control over Kate. She’ll have to answer to them. If they don’t want her doing a talk show, cooking show, etc. they can stop her. She’s under contract.
She is the walking and talking zombie for TLC and she don’t care. No mind of her own cause TLC stole it and froze it
The lawsuit claims demanded to be released from his exclusive arrangement to pursue other paying opportunities but wanted TLC to keep paying him. Her used his kids as pawns by saying that if they didn’t do it in 1 hour he would not let the kids be filmed “on the grounds that it is purportedly detrimental to the children.” One hour later he had his epiphany that it wasn’t good for the kids to be filmed.
Jon is out of control. TLC have every right to protect their interests. They are paying Jon and his trashing them. Kate is trying to work things out (ie. sharing their house) and Jon is spying on her by hacking her phone, email and online accounts. Enough is enough.
How do you know that Jon has is a hacker?
You need to stop reading the tabloids and accepting everything they say as gospel.
TLC should NOT settle with Jon. He has ruined their reputation and has ruined his family’s reputation. What a nerve for his lawyer to cry that it’s been fought in the court of public opinion! Jon and his lawyer are the ones who are embarrassing Kate to pressure her to settle with them. They are also the ones who delayed the divorce so that Jon can wait for Kate to sign her cookbook deal while married to get half. He’s also been hacking into her email and phone to get ammunition to destroy her. Don’t let Jon bully you TLC. Kate may be a strict Christian mother, but who are we to complain when her kids are so well mannered, well adjusted and confident.
Has anyone noticed how Jon always claims he was abused? First by that mean ole Kate and now by the big bully TLC! I personally hope they crush him! He has created this media frenzy surrounding Kate and the kids. If anyone has been detrimental to the welfare, safety and protection of the children, it has been Jon. His behavior has been outrageous to say the least.
Jon clearly was a wanderer, who liked to party smoke cigarettes and pot. Obviously, he likes to drink and is a tad lazy. Furthermore, he is bad with money (saving/spending) and need Kate to keep him in line. He admitted he was a college drop out just bumming around until he met Kate. Kate is a go-getter, and she is solely responsible for all of the family success. Jon (going through a midlife crisis) and jealous of Kate wanted to go out and party. He couldn’t just stay home, look after his kids, recognize he married above his station in life, and not bite the hand that feeds him. He had to go out, screw younger women (they don’t ALL lie), do drugs, hack into Kates online info, drink too much, and get involved with one twenty something after another. He loves Hailey more than he ever loved Kate? Are you kidding me? That is a clear midlife crisis!!!!!!
Kate is an organized woman who likes achieving success… hello martha stewart!!!!
TEAM KATE ALL THE WAY!!!!
She should have sole custody, move back into their old house with, work whatever job keeps her at home the most, and screw Jon out of everything. He is the one that screwed everything up. He should never be around those kids, and Kate should never have to leave her home. She is one who has been working overtime!
Jon should have to repay TLC every dime he made recently, then pay Kate and the kids, and then have to give up his expensive cars, then have to get another basic government job,
He has messed up everything for his family. All he had to do, was continue to support his wife (who is clearly smarter) continue to do the show, not go out partying like a teenager, keep his di&* in his pants, and his kids would be fine, his wife would be fine, the show would be fine, and financially the family would be fine.
Even if Kate said in the heat of an argument about Jon \going out with his friends:\ fine Jon \ you live your life and I live mine, I am not sure why we got married\ Jon being over 30 years of age should have sat his ass back down and stayed home. What is he a teenager?
And they Hailey Glassman? Can you say lose complete custody?
\nMID LIFE CRISIS JON.
I wish these two could go and get help now, fix their family, and recommit to each other.
I think Kate would do it, but JOn is too selfish, and maybe it is past the point of no return.
I think they could still work it out, even with cameras on, no kids, what a lesson for their children to never give up and keep on loving your spouse….
Whatever… EVERYONE IS TEAM KATE
JON IS A MAJOR EMBARASSMENT TO EVERYONE AROUND HIM AND ESPECIALLY HIS FAMILY!!!!
You should write a book somewhere else, good grief girl
Most of you who have an immature, negative opinion… leave it else where. This opinion is REAL, and about REAL life and this REAL family. DEAL WITH IT! I agree with you all the way.
I am rooting for the entire family. Even though Jon is a typical man 95% of the time, I still hope they can work things out for their family.
You go Jon, keep paying the Heller team to tell you how big bad TLC, and everybody else, has abused you. See how much sympathy you get from them when they have drained you of every cent you ever hope to have. Wise up, get a decent lawyer and try to save your rear. Give your kids something to be proud of for a change. Act like a man and do the right thing, don’t let your ego get in the way. You’ve only started to see how Karma works!!
Jon made many mistakes: (1) Poor personal behavioral choices. (2) Did not honor his contractual agreement with TLC.(3) Did not honor his wife and family. (4) Picked an attorney who had a reputation of draining his clients’ bank accounts, etc…(5) Went against a court order to not use the joint account for non-household expenses. And… (6) Cannot take responsibility for his statements and actions.
Jon-you are sick. Get some help for the substance abuse and mental health issues. Go away to a rehab center until things get straightened out. Leave Kate and the kids alone they need time to heal, too.
Too many mother Theresa wannabes here, move on girls, who really cares. katie Irene is boring and is still got the stick up her a##
You are pathetic “no angels here”.
I cannot believe with everything Jon has admitted to doing that he continues to have the audacity to speak in a public forum. His “half Jewish” self needs to find his true self.
Jon- you are an adult father to a group a beautifully well mannered (better than most children), quit listening to all the hangers on that keep boosting you ego and STARTING ACTING LIKE IT!!!!! You’ve admitted publically (on The insider) that your therapist stated that your 32 turning 23, this should cause you embarrassment-not something to joke about.
Please be an example for your off-spring. Believe it or not, one day they WILL read everything and will KNOW everything you done. Start now. Grow up and start taking responsibility for all your actions. You are not a victim, please quit comparing yourself as one and clean up the mess you’ve made.
Lastly- quit talking only in sound bites. People want to forgive but can’t if you are never “speaking from the heart.” Fire whomever is dishing out this advice to you and hire some real talent across the board.
I almost forgot. Maybe Jon could remember that put together Kate he was married to for 10 years, and learn how to act. Jon had a decade to learn how to show some class.
TLC has one of the best lawyers in the country, so highly doubt they did this without making sure every “i” is doted & “t’s” crossed. This law firm does not leave any loopholes for their opponents to maneuver through, so Heller & Jon better keep their mouths shut.
I hope they get laughed out of court.
I also hope kate has to pay him support for not accouting what she took. I bet she wont have her ducks in row
Kate has every right, as she has stated on TV. I am sure that all of her expenses taken from a JOINT account for the KIDS, is accountable. Read the facts.
Did TLC get necessary legal permits to film the kids?