Hogan Scores Major Legal Win in Gawker Suit

A Florida judge ruled that Hulk Hogan, a.k.a Terry Bolea, can legally hire a forensics team to investigate the media outlet Gawker in his $100 million lawsuit against the site for leaking what Hogan alleges was a stolen sex-tape. The report appeared today on the Tampa Bay Times.

The article states:

In a nine-page order, Circuit Judge Pamela Campbell wrote that because of the seriousness of Hogan’s allegations against the New York-based news and gossip website, Hogan is entitled to a “forensic inspection” of certain Gawker employees’ computers, servers, emails and text messages. Her order went so far as to list the specific terms an investigator can search, including “racist,” “Hulk Hogan,” and “DVD details.”

Campbell allowed Hogan’s legal team to conduct the investigation based on the seriousness of the allegations, that Gawker not only violated his privacy by publishing the sex tape, but for also leaking a transcript to the National Enquirer, which featured Hogan using a racial slur several times.

The judge’s order takes effect next month, giving Gawker’s media team ample time to file an appeal, which it stated clearly that it will do.

Editor’s Note:  Follow Bill Kline on Twitter @RealBillKline or on Facebook.