Gawker, Publisher Hit With More Damages In Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Suit

Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, arrives for his trial against Gawker Media, in St Petersburg, Florida
Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, arrives for his trial against Gawker Media, in St Petersburg, Florida March 17, 2016. New York based media company Gawker is being sued for $100 million by wrestling celebrity Hogan, who says the release of a sex tape violated his privacy. REUTERS/Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/Pool via Reuters - RTSAWTJ
© POOL New / Reuters REUTERS

(Reuters) – A Florida jury awarded punitive damages totaling $25 million on Monday in a second blow to Gawker, coming on top of the $115 million the online news outlet must pay for posting a sex tape of the former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.

The six-person jury assessed Gawker $15 million in punitive damages. The media company’s publisher and CEO, Nick Denton, was slapped with an additional $10 million.

Hogan sued the website for posting a video clip in 2012 featuring him having sex with the wife of his then-best friend, the radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.

The editor responsible for the post, A.J. Daulerio, was assessed $100,000 in punitive damages.

On Friday, the jury found that Gawker had violated Hogan’s right to privacy and awarded Hogan $115 million for economic damage and emotional distress.

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