Fired Fox Critic Sues Over Wolverine Spat

Roger Friedman, the former Fox News critic and columnist fired earlier this year for posting a review of a bootlegged copy of Wolverine, has filed a long-expected lawsuit against his former employer alleging wrongful termination and libel.

Still, the suit, which names News Corp. chief Rupert Murdoch, among others, is a bit less juicy than expected. Early accounts suggested Friedman would blame his criticism of Scientology for the Fox executives’ decision to fire him. Instead, his lawyers contend that his ouster was a cover-up designed to divert attention away from a widespread rumor that the leaked copy of Wolverine came from a private rip Murdoch demanded ahead of the movie’s release. They’re seeking upward of $5 million in damages.

Friedman had made $250,000 a year for his gig at Fox, a perch he held for a decade. He was fired April 4.

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