Richard Simmonsis “thankful” after the Los Angeles City Attorney opened an investigationinto the private detective who was allegedly tracking his whereabouts.
Los Angeles City Attorney Michael N. Feuer filed papers on Friday to look into the private detective, named Scott Brian Mathews.
“Richard and Teresa are very thankful to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office for its cooperation in this matter,” Simmons’ manager, Michael Catalano, exclusively tells PEOPLE. “Everyone is entitled to the same basic principles to privacy and security. No one has the right to infringe on that.”
“We are appreciative to the LAPD and other divisions for agreeing that the prolonged pursuit of Richard Simmons against his wishes is not only immoral, but illegal. I look forward to all parties involved having to explain their deceitful actions.”
Courtesy Richard Simmons
The lawsuit stated that the tracking device had been on Reveles’ car for over a year. Simmons, who has not been seen in public since Feb. 2014, travels in the car when he does leave his home.
In the lawsuit, they asserted that Mathews had used data from the tracking device — includingan April 2017 trip to the hospital for Simmons’ “severe indigestion,”according to his manager — to sell “false” information to theNational Enquirer.
Simmons and Reveles requested compensation for the “emotional distress” and more of being tracked.
AA/Splash News Online
After months of speculation about Simmons’ health in 2017, hefiled a lawsuit that May against theNational Enquirerand their publisher, American Media, Inc.,for purchasing and printing false and libelous informationclaiming that Simmons was transitioning to a woman from his former associate, Mauro Oliveria.
The suit was dismissed on the grounds of free speech, but Simmons has said he will appeal.
source: people.com
