New York, NY – Empire State Building officials have filed a $12 million lawsuit against Jeb Corliss, the California stuntman arrested last year for attempting to parachute from the 86th floor of the landmark skyscraper.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The lawsuit, filed late Thursday, claims the illegal and dangerous stunt attempt by Corliss, caused economic loss, damaged the building’s reputation as a safe venue and caused injury to security guards who prevented the jump.
Corliss’ lawyer, Mark Heller, said Friday that the lawsuit was a public-relations move, filed because the skyscraper’s officials were embarrassed. Calling the suit an abuse of the legal system, he argued that the building’s operators should be fined.
A former TV show host from Malibu, Corliss entered the 102-story landmark on Fifth Avenue disguised in a mask and a fat suit. Once at the 86th floor observatory, he removed the fat suit, revealing a black jump suit and a parachute. The 30-year-old wore a helmet with a camera on top so he could document his jump. [AP]
