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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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17

TMZ Chief May Sue After Cops Pull Phone Records

Invasion 'breaks federal law, breaks state law,' Levin says

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(Newser) – Not so fun being on the other side: TMZ founder Harvey Levin is promising legal action after learning that Los Angeles cops went through his phone records during a leak investigation related to Mel Gibson’s 2007 DUI. TMZ broke the original story. Though the Sheriff’s Department says it obtained a court order for the search, Levin isn’t backing down, notes the LA Times. “This is not going to go away,” he said in a speech.

“It breaks federal law, it breaks state law,” Levin said before referencing Chinatown and freedom of press. “We've met with lawyers and are charting our course of action.” A media attorney concurs. “Most law enforcement agencies know it’s illegal,” she says. “Or have a hard time getting a judge signing off on it.”

"TMZ" Executive Producers Harvey Levin, right, and Jim Paratore.   (AP Photo)
Mel Gibson.
Mel Gibson.   (AP Photo)
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It breaks federal law, it breaks state law. This is like Chinatown. It's disgusting they would do something like this. How do you protect sources? It goes to the core of freedom of the press. - Harvey Levin, TMZ

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17 comments
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RobN
Oct 20, 09 12:47 PM CDT
The really disturbing part of this story is that TMZ is apparently now considered The Press. Reply
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+12
IN RESPONSE:
Jayster999
Oct 20, 09 12:50 PM CDT
Hey, they're at least as reliable as The Enquirer.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
youngblood
Oct 20, 09 2:20 PM CDT
Harrvey Levin is a lowlife punk who is in the same shitbox as perez hilton!! He and the rest of these douche bags who chase celebs. and create a dangerous enviroment for celebs and pedestrians who happen to be in their way,. by running red lights and all the rest of the nonsense they do just to get a photo of a celebrity is irresponsible and dangerous. Princess Diana as an example, a death in my mind brought on by these assholes like Levin!! Him and the rest of these leeches like him should be thrown against the same wall that killed Princess Diana. Harvey Levin and his like should be tar and feathered, drawn and quartered and run out of town for all the people he has slandered and rediculed with his words in his lousy website and tv show!
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Jayster999
Oct 20, 09 2:26 PM CDT
So, in other words, you don't like him?
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-1
IN RESPONSE:
bewilderbeast
Oct 21, 09 4:38 AM CDT
Aspiring to become a celeb, youngblood? Here's how: Do ANYTHING to attract attention (ANYTHING. Even videotape yourself shafting some airhead skank, then post it on the 'net). Then complain about the people who write about you and take pictures of you. (Your description of Levin fits many of his subjects, BTW).
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