Judge Rules Against Media In Hogan Case

A Pinellas, Florida County circuit judge ruled Thursday that several pieces of evidence related to the Hulk Hogan sex tape case will remain confidential despite a request from media outlets that they be made public.

Of the 17 items at issue in the hearing, Judge Pamela Campbell determined that 15 will remain sealed, one will be unsealed and one pushed to a later discussion.

The rulings add to a long list of proceedings related to a lawsuit that Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, filed against Gawker claiming that the media company violated his privacy by publishing an excerpt from a sex tape. The video involves Bollea and Heather Cole, the ex-wife of Tampa radio persoonality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem. Bollea is seeking $100 million in damages.

The Tampa Bay Times reports the document that Campbell unsealed contained orders from court documents as well as two letters touching on the sex tape, said Stephen Thompson, spokesman for the court.

The judge also allowed Hulk Hogan access to Gawker’s computer system — giving the former WWE wrestler his most important victory in years.

The NY Post reports Hogan believes there’s evidence on Gawker hard drives that will prove the embattled gossip website leaked a tape of a racist rant by the former WWE star to the National Enquirer.

Gawker allegedly leaked the tape in July in hopes it would hurt the $100 million invasion of privacy suit the celebrity filed against the Web site.