Timeshare mogul sues Sundance over documentary

[January 13, 2012]  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida timeshare mogul who commissioned the construction of one of the largest homes in America is suing filmmakers and the Sundance Film Festival over materials used to promote a documentary about his family's struggle to build the 90,000-square-foot mansion.

David Siegel says in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Orlando federal court that press releases used to promote the documentary, "The Queen of Versailles," are defamatory.

Siegel says the press releases claim his timeshare empire collapsed, his mansion is in foreclosure and that he and his wife, Jackie, have experienced a "rags-to-riches-to-rags story." He says none of that is true.

The documentary's filmmakers had no comment. A Sundance spokeswoman said the organization maintains its commitment to freedom of expression and looks forward to showing the film at its 2012 festival.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.