A woman says she became the victim of revenge porn after her boyfriend filmed one of their sexual encounters and shared it with his fraternity brothers.
Kathryn Novak, a student from Arizona, accuses University of Central Florida student Brandon Simpson of sharing intimate videos of her in a private Facebook group called ‘Dog Pound’.
The video was then screened at a ‘chapter house’ meeting, Novak claims, and has since been seen by ‘more than 200 people’.
She is now suing Simpson, his friends and the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity to which they belong for ‘fostering this environment’.
Kathryn Novak claims ex-boyfriend Brandon Simpson, a student at Central Florida University and a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, took at least one video of them during a ‘sexual encounter’ before sharing it with his frat brothers
Novak says the encounter took place at Simpson’s apartment near Central Florida University (pictured) in October last year, and she only learned of it in March this year after seeing a friend’s text. She believes the video has been seen by ‘more than 200 people’
Novak is being represented by Michael Avennatti, the lawyer famous for representing Stormy Daniels in her case against President Trump.
Her lawsuit says she dated Simpson between October last year and February this year. The relationship was long-distance but the pair met up a couple of times per month, usually at Simpson’s apartment.
While there, they often engaged in consensual sex which Simpson recorded on ‘at least’ on occasion in October, she claims.
The same month Simpson posted one of those videos, in which she is clearly identifiable, in a private Facebook group, the suits says.
At least five people saw the video, the suit says, but it was also shown to an unknown number of others during one ‘chapter house’ meeting.
Novak believes that ‘more than 200 people’ have seen the video, along with intimate pictures and texts that she shared during their relationship.
Novak is now suing Simpson, four frat brothers and the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity (pictured, chapter house at University of Central Florida) for ‘fostering this environment’
At no point did any member of the fraternity request that the video be deleted or do anything to stop it spreading, the suit alleges.
Novak only discovered the video had been spread in March when she saw a text message from a friend to Simpson mentioning it.
She is now seeking an injunction to prevent the further spread of the content online, as well as at least $75,000 in compensatory, statutory and punitive damages.
The University of Central Florida issued a statement saying: ‘These allegations are contrary to our core values.
‘Although UCF is not a party to the suit, we are gathering information. If anyone believes they may have been impacted in this case, UCF wants to hear from you.’
Delta Sigma Phi said that it had suspended its chapter at the University of Central Florida, adding: ‘While we cannot comment on specific allegations made in the lawsuit, these claims are disturbing and antithetical to our organization’s values and mission.’
Simpson was contacted for comment by the New York Times but refused to comment.