ZumaPress.com, Mike Ehrmann/Getty ImagesLooks like Manti Te'o isn't the only one smarting from the fallout over the elaborate hoax involving his fake dead girlfriend.
The production company behind Dr. Phil is suing Gawker Media for allegedly pilfering an episode of the show featuring the hoax's mastermind, which was subsequently posted on Gawker-owned sports site Deadspin.
In a lawsuit filed in Texas federal court and obtained by E! News, Dr. Phil's parent company, Peteski Productions, claims that Gawker Media posted an episode of the show that contained an exclusive interview with hoax perpetrator Ronaiah Tuiasosopo and put it on Deadspin hours before it aired on Dr. Phil.
In doing so, the lawsuit claims, Gawker Media caused the episode's ratings to plunge by revealing exclusive moments from the interview, including a portion during which Tuiasosopo recreated the voice of Te'o's fake girlfriend, Lennay Kekua.
The complaint also alleges that the blog post in question urged viewers to tune in to Deadspin and not to Dr. Phil.
The show is suing for copyright infringement and is seeking for damages, injunctions, attorney costs and other fees.
—Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum