$50 Million for six hours
That’s what a bit actor and his wife who showed up at the 2010 Oscars without tickets wants from the Academy for false imprisonment.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Michael Avila (stage name Michael Avmen) showed up at the ceremony with the understanding from his publicist that he could pick up his tickets once inside the venue.
Riiiiiiight. As if security for the Academy Awards hasn’t heard that one before, especially coming from someone with three credits to his name on the IMDB.
The Avilas were whisked away by security to the AMPAS detention centre, were they were held and questioned for six hours before being transferred to the police station and subsequently released.
The lawsuit says the couple “have experienced sustained injury to his and her body and shock and injury to their nervous system, as well as humiliation, mental anguish, and emotional and physical distress”.
In a statement Michael said, “If I or some ‘regular’ individual acted as The Academy did, we would be in prison right now. I want, and I will show that these people aren’t above the law. Security is one thing, but this was outside the realm of excessive. My wife and I have suffered, and there has been a great injustice enforced.”
Oooooh…it’s a pity party! Quick, break out the hats!
Security at the Oscars is notoriously tight, so anyone who shows up without a proper invite or documentation is pretty much asking to complicate their evening.
Rhetorical question. Is the Avila’s complaint legit, or are they taking the White House Party Crashers schtick to the next level, seeking a big settlement and maybe some publicity for Michael’s acting “career” ?
