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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The Hollywood Foreign Press Association broke their own record for donations at their annual Installation Luncheon last night.

Release in full:

Hollywood Foreign Press Association Donates Over $1.5 Million at 2010 Installation Luncheon

Financial Grants Given to 41 Film Schools and Non-Profit Organizations

BEVERLY HILLS, CA–(Marketwire – July 28, 2010) – The Hollywood Foreign Press Association celebrated their annual Installation Luncheon today at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. The star-studded luncheon presented a record $1,541,000 in financial grants to 41 film schools and non-profit organizations. The event also celebrated the election of the HFPA’s 2010-2011 officers.

Eva Longoria Parker joined returning HFPA President Philip Berk to announce grants. Acceptance remarks on behalf of the grants were made by Nicole Kidman (The Film Foundation), John Slattery (UCLA), Annette Bening (Sundance Institute), Aaron Sorkin (Higher Education Fellowships & Institutional Support Grants), Bryan Cranston (Professional Training & Mentoring Grants), Ryan Phillippe (FilmAid International), Jane Lynch and “Glee” Co-Creator Ian Brennan (Outfest), Carla Gugino (LA Conservancy, MOMA, UC Berkeley, LACMA and other Preserve The Culture & History Of Film Grants), Matthew Fox (American Cinematheque, Levantine Cultural Center, and Latin American Cinemateca), and Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco (Pre-Professional Training & Education Grants)

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