Publicist: HFPA Head Put Himself Ahead of Haiti Earthquake Victims

Richard Horgan — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:30:01 +0000

The lawsuit filed on Thursday against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association by the group’s former publicist Michael Russell is a juicy read. Especially beginning on page eight.

Russell alleges that after a car was donated by Chrysler for the 2010 Golden Globes, to be signed by celebs on the red carpet and auctioned off to benefit victims of the Haiti earthquake in partnership with LA charity Stars for a Cause, the effort became a problem for HFPA President Philip Berk. Alleges Russell in his Superior Court complaint:

Berk suddenly became opposed to Stars for a Cause and [organization founder] Braustein’s involvement with the Chrysler charity campaign… Berk was upset, as he wanted to receive benefits directly from Chrysler, and Stars for a Cause was only giving the proceeds from the charity to charity and not to Berk…

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Three More Jeers for Hollywood Foreign Press

Richard Horgan — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 05:00:35 +0000

It’s business as usual in Tinseltown. As in – everyone makes fun of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) but still kowtows to the annual Golden Globes fanfare (2010 nominations are out tomorrow).

It really doesn’t matter that Rescue Me‘s Peter Tolan called the organization “a bunch of whores” last Wednesday, or that The Wrap leaked an accusatory letter this weekend from bounced publicist Michael Russell. Nor is it too concerning for the HFPA that Roger Friedman has an item today about seven members taking credited roles in Sofia Coppola‘s newest movie.

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Michael Russell - FishbowlLA

Publicist: HFPA Head Put Himself Ahead of Haiti Earthquake Victims

Three More Jeers for Hollywood Foreign Press