Estate of Budd Hopkins and Principals Involved in his revealing book “Witnessed” Seek Redress For the ‘Hit Job’ Defaming Them About the True Story of a UFO Incident in Manhattan
New York, NY. November 4, 2024
Netflix’ recently released “The Manhattan Alien Abduction” may be garnering many viewers but the principals involved in the production of this claimed “documentary” have filed suit in New York State Supreme Court this week for their duped participation as a result of the lies and bad-faith of the behemoth on-line streaming channel and its producers. Promoted to be “based upon a true story”, little was further from the truth as rights holders and contracting parties were blatantly lied and deceived to become involved in the spurious story orchestrated by Netflix and its associates. Using the deeply embittered, revenge-seeking ex-wife as the protagonist, the producers suggested it was all a “hoax” and cast doubt and aspersions on the principals, both of who willingly participated in what they were told was to be a true account of the painstakingly researched and investigated book, “Witnessed” by author Budd Hopkins.
Hopkins, a distinguished artist and investigator of the UFO phenomena, spent five years investigating the claims of Linda Napolitano, who has consistently maintained that she was abducted by aliens from the bedroom of her Manhattan apartment in November 1989. Assisted throughout by his longtime assistant, renowned ufologist Peter Robbins, Hopkins’ investigation concluded that she was telling the truth, which had been collaborated by 22 separate eye-witness accounts as set out in Hopkins’ best-selling book, “Witnessed: The True Story of the Brooklyn Bridge UFO Abductions”. It was this book that formed the basis of this new mini-series and which Netflix promoted as a “true story” upon which Ms. Napolitano and Mr. Robbins were told was to be the aim of the producers.
While the pair were informed early on that Rainey had been interviewed for the series, and supplied archival materials, the fact that she was also directly involved in the production of said series was intentionally and deliberately withheld from them knowing neither would have agreed to participate had they been aware of the fact. Rainey, a self-proclaimed expert “skeptic” with zero background in the world of UFO studies other than her association with her ex-husband, colluded with the filmmaker and producers in creating a narrative driven by innuendo and suggestion that disparages Ms. Napolitano and Mr. Robbins, by their lies, the appearances they were compelled to assume, and the completely fabricated environments they were made to inhabit, along with the scripted dialogue.
The Estate of Budd Hopkins, Linda Napolitano, and Peter Robbins filed suit to seek redress the bad-faith of the producers and Netflix, utilizing materials and papers apparently stolen from Mr. Hopkins by the ex-wife, without the consent and permission of the Estate. Napolitano and Robbins, now forever associated with this false narrative, seek redress and damages to their character and reputation for this defamation and fraud perpetrated against them.
“The story is nothing more than a “mockumentary”, based upon the egregious lies and deceit of the producers. Netflix and all of those who deceived our clients by their false promises and phony presentation distorting the truth will be held accountable. Had our clients ever known the truth of what these producers and Netflix intended to do for their sensationalism and marketing ploys for ratings, they
would never have participated. We are confident that a New York jury will agree” stated Robert J. Young, attorney for the Plaintiffs.
The Court has issued an Order to Show Cause why a Preliminary Injunction should not issue to stop the presentation airing on Netflix as a result of the deceitful conduct, now to be heard before Judge Paul Allan Goetz in the Manhattan Supreme Court on December 5, 2024, at 9 a.m.
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