Netflix’s true crime limited seriesInventing Anna, about con artistAnna Sorokin— who was also known as Anna Delvey — has landed the streaming service in a whole new legal battle.
“This action will show that Netflix made a deliberate decision for dramatic purposes to show Williams doing or saying things in the Series which portray her as a greedy, snobbish, disloyal, dishonest, cowardly, manipulative and opportunistic person,” reads the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court of Delaware.
getty; Nicole Rivelli/Netflix
Williams' attorney Alexander Rufus-Isaacs tells PEOPLE in a statement: “The reason why we had to file the case is because Netflix used Rachel’s real name and biographical details, and made her out to be a horrible person, which she is not.”
Reps for Netflix did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Nicole Rivelli/Netflix
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Williams, 34, wrote about her experience with Sorokin, 31, in 2018 forVanity Fair, where she worked as a photo editor when thefake German heiressallegedly conned her into incurring around $62,000 of debt on her corporate credit card during a trip to Morocco.
“In reality, she never did or said those things. Thus, this action is based firmly on statements of fact which are demonstrably false and the attribution of statements that she never made,” the complaint reads, arguing that she was depicted as “a vile and contemptible person,” leading to “a torrent of online abuse, negative in-person interactions, and pejorative characterizations” targeting Williams.
Netflix
The complaint references quotes from Lowes, 39, and series creatorShonda Rhimesthat appear to support the argument they intentionally fictionalized elements of the character for the sake of plot.
It also argues that her character’s identity wasn’t altered or concealed, surmising that the choice was retaliation for selling her story to HBO. “The catastrophic damage to Williams' reputation was completely avoidable,” the lawsuit reads.
“Netflix gave fictional names to many of the real life protagonists in the Sorokin saga who appear in the Series, but it did not afford Williams the same protection. Instead, it used her real name and personal details (such as her employer, neighborhood and alma mater) in the Series and cast an actress who resembled her in many ways.
RELATED VIDEO:Inventing AnnaTrue Story: Everything to Know About Anna Delvey, Including Her Crimes and Where She Is Now
Sorokinwas found guilty of eight chargesin 2019, including attempted grand larceny in the first degree, grand larceny in the second degree, grand larceny in the third degree, and theft of services, after stealing more than $200,000 from New York’s elite and attempting to swindle millions more from her friends and banks.
Although she wassentenced to four to 12 years in prisonand a $24,000 fine, in addition to $198,956 in restitution, Sorokinwas released on good behaviortwo years into her sentence and is currently in an ICE detention center as her lawyer attempts to appeal her deportation.
Inventing Annais now available to stream on Netflix.
source: people.com
