Filed under: Motorsports, Government/Legal, Earnings/Financials
FIA President Max Mosley gets off judiciously
Remember the good old days when a prominent chief executive would have disappeared into obscurity after having been exposed by the newspapers? Well those good old days are gone, and Max Mosley is happy for it.
It's been a long and hard road for Max Mosley, but the embattled FIA president seems well suited for the ordeal. Mosley was caught on film partaking in what was described as a Nazi-themed S&M orgy with several prostitutes. He then survived a vote of no confidence in his leadership in the motorsport governing body, and launched a lawsuit against the News of the World, the British tabloid that broke the story. The judge returned the verdict from that lawsuit today, awarding Mosley £60,000 in exemplary damages, plus an additional estimated £1 million in expenses.
Mosley's case hinged on the right to privacy, and upon receiving the judgment (so to speak), the prototypical auto-erotic figure noted that he hoped the ruling would serve as a deterrent for other publications from pursuing "this type of invasive and salacious journalism". The moneys awarded by the court won't go into Mosley's pocket, as they're earmarked towards the road safety and environmental work undertaken by the FIA Foundation.
[Source: Autosport, Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
steve-o 12:47PM (7/24/2008)
WOW...i mean...WOW
Reply
Vintage 12:49PM (7/24/2008)
You're welcome for the tip, AB.
Reply
Dr. Nick 12:49PM (7/24/2008)
The right to privacy? Someone can't sell their own videotapes of a sex session because Oswald Jr. has a right to privacy in his sexual affairs? Interesting decision... I suppose this means he's sticking around.
Though, I watched the last race at Hockenheim and there was a lot of overtaking. Maybe his changes are having an effect?
Reply
policyvote 12:55PM (7/24/2008)
Auto-erotic? I get it!
Peace
policy
Ben 12:51PM (7/24/2008)
"Sex scandal supports FIA safety concerns." =]
Reply
jgp 12:54PM (7/24/2008)
Good.
I'm sick and tired of the paparazzi invading people's personal lives. The paparazzi should have been barred from pulling this crap when they murdered Princess Diana for the sake of a story, not over a decade later.
Reply
Giuseppe 12:58PM (7/24/2008)
£1 million in expenses! Rupert M is so firing that editor
Reply
Geeky1 1:03PM (7/24/2008)
Good for him. The whole thing was a non-issue. What people do in their sex lives-so long as it involves consenting adults-is nobody's concern but their own.
Reply
Tai 3:57PM (7/24/2008)
The real question is why aren't tabloids sued more often? They get away with all kind of crap.
azzo45 9:16PM (7/24/2008)
He knew video cameras were in the room... not many CEOs or people in management style jobs could star in an X rated form of entertainment & expect to keep their job.
Hollywood actors & B-list celebs are the only ones who get a career boost from this kind of stuff. Morals clauses are in most executive contracts & HR employee guidelines.
I 100% agree with privacy & concenting adults... just don't introduce the video camera into your "privacy" & expect things to stay behind closed doors.
Geeky1 9:55PM (7/24/2008)
Azzo: I don't disagree with you; if you're going to videotape it, you'd better be OK with people seeing it other than those it was intended for. However, I think that work and private lives should be kept separate in most cases. I consider morality clauses, in most cases, to be complete, utter, idiotic BS.
bill jackman 1:08PM (7/24/2008)
LOVE the headline.
"No so sure about that!"
Reply
Marc 1:11PM (7/24/2008)
I love that my Google reader shows the headline as "FIA President Max Mosley gets off"
Reply
Vroom Girl 1:11PM (7/24/2008)
I agree with the judge.
Regardless of what any of us feel about what Mosley did (Did he really need -five- hookers?) nobody should have their bedroom activities put before the public eye like this.
It's -not- relevant to his abilities...
(I think he's a sleazeball, but...)
Reply
Vintage 2:12PM (7/24/2008)
Five? I say get at least 8.
mike m. 1:34PM (7/24/2008)
Damn, that's a shame!
I was hoping that this whole scandal would force him out of the FIA!
Until then, I'll be forced to watch NASCAR - at least I don't have to get up at 6 AM on a Sunday!
Reply
Ian 1:37PM (7/24/2008)
Will the prominent motor racing guy that MM recently called a "certified half wit", in the media, decide that he too needs time in court?
Reply
Luis 2:04PM (7/24/2008)
Mosley: now if you'll excuse me, I have a "meeting" to attend...
Reply
sfast 2:45PM (7/24/2008)
I think we need to gather up some cash to have him wacked.
Reply
bill jackman 3:29PM (7/24/2008)
Oh he already pays plenty to get wacked.