Grayson, et al. v. J.P. Florida Productions, et al.

(Fla. 6th Jud. Cir., J. Campbell 2011)

J.P. Florida Productions recruited men experiencing homelessness and mental illnesses or other disabilities to participate in “homeless beatdowns.” The company's employees offered the men $50 to let a female mixed martial arts fighter beat them for 12 minutes on camera. The men were not permitted to defend themselves and suffered multiple injuries as a result of the beatings, including broken bones and other serious injuries. Their beatings were taped and sold on the company's website. The suit alleged four counts, including a claim under Florida's Hate Crimes Act based on the discriminatory targeting of these men because they were homeless. As a result of this lawsuit, the State Attorney’s office charged the owner of J.P. Florida Productions and one of the women fighters with felony aggravated abuse of the disabled. The criminal court ordered the defendants to take down the website and not sell any videos of people known to be homeless or have a disability. The case settled for damages and an agreement not to sell any of the plaintiffs’ videos.