Naked Cell Phone Pictures Result In $3 Million Lawsuit Against Fast Food GiantMonday November 24, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
Here's a cautionary tale for anyone who has a cell phone: don't leave naked pictures of your significant other on the portable device.
It was a lesson learned the hard way by a Fayetteville, Arkansas man after he accidentally forgot his handset at a local McDonalds last July. The loss of his mobile was bad enough for Philip Sherman, but this was worse - his wife had previously sent naked pictures of herself to his phone for what the couple calls his own 'private use.'
They were still there when the handset was allegedly discovered by restaurant employees, who phoned the man's mother and told him they found the device. They also apparently promised they would hang on to it and keep it secure until Philip returned to claim it.
You know what happened next.
The revealing pictures of Tina Sherman inevitably wound up on the Internet, creating huge problems for the pair, who have since been the subject of harassing phone calls and text messages, not to mention having the mortifying photos being viewed around the world.
Since this unfortunate story broke, Sherman's wife has become one of the most searched names on Google, as curious surfers hope to get a look at the provocative pics.
And it's been no small inconvenience. The Shermans have been forced to move to a new home, change their phone number and try to hide out until the storm dies down. That's just one of the reasons they've launched a $3 million lawsuit against the fast food chain, the franchise owner and the store manager.
It took 72 hours to get the pictures off the site where they were first posted, but this being the Internet, they may never truly disappear. The suit alleges the woman continues to suffer extreme emotional distress over the incident and thinks those responsible should pay for her public humiliation.
But the couple claims it's about more than just embarrassment. In addition to the disgusting salacious messages, they say some of the texts and harassing phone calls they've gotten have been threatening in nature, and they're now worried about their safety.
McDonald's has so far refused to comment on the case which has yet to hit the courts.
