Sofia Vergara Hit With Fresh Lawsuit Over Netflix Show ‘Griselda’
Sofia Vergara's troubles with Netflix's "Griselda" series are far from over!
The Colombian actress who plays the show's titular character, Griselda Blanco, has been charged with another unauthorized use of a character's image and likeness.
In court documents obtained by The Blast, the family of late Rafael Cardona Salazar slammed Vergara alongside the program's producers over the nonconsensual portrayal of the late drug trafficker in "Griselda."
Sofia Vergara Sued By Another Family Related To The Medellín Cartel
During his time, Salazar was a Colombian drug trafficker and a member of the infamous Medellín Cartel with Blanco. Given their history, it was unsurprising that he made several appearances in the Netflix series, with actor Camilo Jimenez Varon portraying his character.
However, the lawsuit filed by Salazar's Estate and family — wife Odelia Cardona, daughter Carolina Cardona, son Rafael Cardona, and grandson Jacob Cardona — claimed "Griselda" producers never asked for permission to use his image and likeness.
They accused Vergara, Netflix, and Latin World Entertainment of breaking a statutory right under Florida law that mandates:
"No person may publish, print, display, or otherwise publicly use for purposes of commerce or for any commercial or advertising purpose the name, portrait, photograph, or other likeness of any natural person without the express written or oral consent of said individual, or if deceased, then by consent from a party comprising their surviving spouse and offspring."
Rafael Cardona Salazar's Family Want A Jury Trial
In their complaint, Salazar's family argued that the defendants used not only his identity, image, and likeness in the "Griselda" show but also their promotional content without consent.
They claimed the program's producers did so "either intentionally" or with "reckless abandon" and implored the court for a jury trial. The aggrieved family's argument read:
"The Defendant(s) actions reflect such a gross degree of recklessness or wanton carelessness that it signifies conscious neglect of or indifference to the rights of the Plaintiff(s)."
Apart from demanding a jury trial, Salazar's family stressed that their case was an action for damages exceeding $50,000.
This massive sum includes interest, costs, attorneys' fees, and the restitution of illicit proceeds obtained from using Salazar's image without permission.
This Is The Second Lawsuit Over The 'Griselda' Show
As stated, the Salazar family is the second group to sue Vergara and "Griselda" show producers over the depiction of its characters.
The Blast broke the news that Blanco's children had filed a lawsuit against the program just days before its debut.
The titular character's family requested an injunction to block the show's release, arguing that Netflix ripped off their mother's life story and incorporated it into the plot of their show without permission.
According to the late drug lord's son, Michael, some men allegedly approached him to do interviews about his story and that of his mother.
The discussions reportedly occurred between 2009 and 2022, with the producers asking to develop his mother's story into a book and show.
These producers allegedly pitched the project to Netflix, with the streaming giant refusing to use Michael's narrative or any of the consultations from the interviews he had done.
However, he argued the "Griselda" show was based on the information he gave without any credit.
Griselda Blanco's Children Dismissed The Initial Lawsuit In February
In their lawsuit, Blanco's children argued that Netflix's "Griselda" shouldn't be released as it depicted their image and that of their mother without their permission, violating their rights.
However, they changed their tune in February when The Blast reported the famous clan and the defendants had seemingly settled their differences outside the court.
Blanco's children filed to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning they could not refile the same claim in the future. It was unclear why they settled the case or if monetary compensation was involved, as there was no proof.
Sofia Vergara Settled Her Final Ties To Ex-husband Joe Manganiello
Last month, The Blast reported that Sofia Vergara had concluded her chapter with Joe Manganiello by offloading their matrimonial home. Online records revealed the glitzy Beverly Hills estate was sold for $13.7 million, a few million shy of its initial market price.
The former couple placed the mansion for sale in 2022 for $19.6 million but found no takers for the exuberant price. After much consideration, they dropped what they requested and settled for the $13 million range.
There were still no buyers until Vergara relisted the property for sale at $13.9 million at the start of the year. Eventually, a few price slashes scored her the anonymous buyer, officially marking the end of her ties to Manganiello.
