LOS ANGELES: The organization that puts on the Golden Globes is accusing a former publicist of fraud and says he and his partner cannot prove allegations the group engages in “payola.” The Hollywood Foreign Press Association sued its former publicist, Michael Russell, and his firm claiming they broke a confidentiality agreement and themselves tried to profit off their connection with the glitzy awards show. The lawsuit comes roughly three weeks after Russell sued the HFPA, claiming its members accepted favors in exchange for nominations and awards. The association's lawsuit denies the claim and states that Russell has no evidence to support the payola claim.
