Confidentiality Agreement Question

[CuriousKit]

I am working on a short story, and in the story an ordinary guy finds out something awful about a powerful celebrity. The celebrity pays him off and makes him sign a confidentiality agreement so that he can never talk about the celeb. The celebrity then has his people spread nasty lies about this guy, and the celebrity's fans buy into it and basically make this poor ordinary guy's life a living hell. He can't defend himself publicly because of the confidentiality agreement. What would be some ways he could get around the agreement without it being illegal? This would take place in CA.

 

[randolph76]

I am working on a short story, and in the story an ordinary guy finds out something awful about a powerful celebrity. The celebrity pays him off and makes him sign a confidentiality agreement so that he can never talk about the celeb. The celebrity then has his people spread nasty lies about this guy, and the celebrity's fans buy into it and basically make this poor ordinary guy's life a living hell. He can't defend himself publicly because of the confidentiality agreement. What would be some ways he could get around the agreement without it being illegal? This would take place in CA.

I doubt the confidentiality agreement said the guy could never talk about the celeb but is probably limitted to the awful thing the celeb did. An agreement so vague would likely not be enforceable.

I'd imagine he could sue for defamation (libel or slander depending on method of communication) and possibly harassment. A confidentiality agreement would not allow the celeb to defame the guy.

Just my thoughts

 

[CuriousKit]

Thanks for your reply, randolph76. The celebrity wouldn't directly defame the guy. He would instead have his people leak stories to the media so suing him isn't an option.

 

[Rexlan]

Too funny ..... be careful.

 

[CuriousKit]

So...would it be legal if the guy who was paid off gave his information privately to a third party and then the third party spilled the beans, or would that violate the terms of the agreement?

 

[Rexlan]

So...would it be legal if the guy who was paid off gave his information privately to a third party and then the third party spilled the beans, or would that violate the terms of the agreement?

We will wait for the movie ... LOL.

Talk to your attorney.