The author, who is popular for his works such as 'The Notebook', 'A Walk to Remember' and 'The Best of Me', is being sued by a former headmaster of a school he founded.
- October 3, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Nicholas Sparks, whose popular novels such as "The Notebook", "A Walk to Remember" and "Safe Haven" were adapted into movies with the same titles, has been sued by a former headmaster of a school he founded, claiming that the famed author is anti-semitic, racist and homophobic. Sparks' camp, however, has denied the allegations.
In a statement to E! News, Sparks' entertainment lawyer Scott Schwimer said, "As a gay, Jewish man who has represented Nick for almost 20 years I find these allegations completely ludicrous and offensive." Theresa Sprain, Sparks' lawyer who handles the case, additionally said, "We deny these allegations as presented in the complaint. We will vigorously defend this matter and look forward to pursuing any available remedies."
Saul Hillel Benjamin, a former headmaster for Epiphany School for Global Studies which Sparks founded in 2006, accuses Sparks of discrimination in the suit filed on Thursday, October 2 in the U.S. district court for the eastern district of North Carolina. According to the suit obtained by The Guardian, Sparks' "despicable and outrageous views" led him on a campaign to "humiliate, degrade and defame" Benjamin.
The suit alleges that Sparks and the members of the school's board of trustee were "enraged" by Benjamin's efforts to make the school more diverse. Sparks allegedly was unhappy when Benjamin met NAACP officials and "indicated that Mr. Benjamin should utilize less public and visible means if he sought to meet with African-Americans."
Sparks and the trustees were also accused of pressuring Benjamin not to support a group of gay students. In the suit, Benjamin additionally alleged that Sparks trapped him in a room and "diagnosed" him with Alzheimer's, harming his reputation in the community.
In addition to Sparks, the suit names Nicholas Sparks Foundation, the Epiphany school and three members of the school's board of trustees, Missy Blackerby, Tracy Lorentzen and Ken Gray, as defendants. Benjamin is seeking monetary damage for "mental anguish and emotional distress" caused by Sparks' alleged actions.
