Jessica Louise Cutler (born May 18, 1978) is an American blogger, author, and former congressional staff assistant who was fired for detailing her active sexual life, including receiving money for having sex (prostitution), in her blog.
Jessica Cutler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jessica Louise Cutler May 18, 1978 Monterey, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University |
| Occupation(s) | Author, blogger |
| Spouse |
Charles Rubio (m. 2008) |
| Children | 1 |
Career
editEducation
editCutler was born in Monterey, California. She attended Syracuse University, and was a photo editor at the student newspaper, The Daily Orange.
Washingtonienne
editIn 2004 while a staff assistant for Senator Michael DeWine, Cutler published a short-lived blog called Washingtonienne describing her life in Washington, D.C. which included graphic details of her sex life.
Cutler justified receiving money from her lovers by saying, "I'm sure I am not the only one who makes money on the side this way: How can anybody live on $25K/year??"
Her identity was revealed by the blog "Wonkette" in May 2004, which resulted in a scandal on Capitol Hill.[1][2]
On May 21, 2004, Cutler was fired for "unacceptable use of Senate computers" by Senator DeWine. Media treatment of Cutler was harsh, the Philadelphia Daily News going so far as to label her a "DC slut".[3] Cutler, though, has been relatively accepting of her notoriety:
Public embarrassment is really very liberating. You really stop caring about what people think, which is something only the elderly seem to able to accomplish with great aplomb. So I am way ahead of everybody. And those of you behind me can kiss my ass.[4]
In summer 2004, Playboy.com featured an interview and nude pictures of Cutler.[5]
She wrote a novel based on her experiences and blog: The Washingtonienne: A Novel, selling it for a reported $300,000.[6] A reviewer for the Washington Post wrote, "The Washingtonienne gives hints of being lively, funny and agreeably in-your-face."[7] Judy Bachrach of The Weekly Standard wrote, "This is a novel of uncommon candor, humor, and perspicacity, and I loved every page of it."[8]
Steinbuch lawsuit
editIn June 2005, Robert Steinbuch, who says that he is the person Cutler referred to as "RS" on her blog, filed a lawsuit against her,[9] seeking over $75,000 in damages. Steinbuch's complaint and related filings, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., describe the case as for "defamation," "false light," "invasion of privacy for public revelation of private facts," the "intentional infliction of emotional distress," and "other causes of action."[10] Cutler is represented by Atlanta lawyer, Matthew C. Billips,[11] and D.C. lawyer, John R. Ates.[citation needed] On May 30, 2007, Cutler filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to protect herself from potential debts. Listed among potential creditors were some of her former attorneys, as well as Steinbuch.[12] At the time she filed for bankruptcy, staying the case in the DC District Court, a motion to dismiss—as a sanction against Steinbuch for refusing to comply with Court Ordered discovery—was still pending.[13]
Steinbuch also filed a $20 million suit against her in Arkansas, where he lives and works as a law professor.[14] The lawsuit was eyed closely by privacy groups because it could establish whether bloggers are obligated to protect the privacy of those they name in their online public blogs.[12] The Arkansas case was dismissed for forum non-conveniens by the district court. However, the United States Court of Appeals reversed the district judge in Arkansas, holding that he abused his discretion and ruled incorrectly. Eventually, after the case was sent back to the district judge in Arkansas, the district judge transferred the case to another judge.[15]
It was reported in 2007 that cable television channel HBO and entertainment company Disney, whom Steinbuch also sued, are working on a TV series about Cutler's story.[12]
According to the New York Law Journal, Steinbuch was ordered to reimburse discovery expenses regarding a deposition to Cutler's attorney Billips in June 2009. Billips has filed an affidavit requesting over $14,000 in fees and expenses.[16]
Personal life
editIn 2008, she married Charles Rubio, a lawyer, in New York City. She gave birth in August 2009 to a daughter, Jessica-Louise.[17]
Books
edit- The Washingtonienne: A Novel. Hyperion Books (2005). Hardcover: ISBN 978-1-4013-0200-9, ISBN 978-1-4013-0847-6.
- Sexe au Capitole. Plon (2006). ISBN 978-2-259-20172-8.
References
edit- ^ "The Hill's Sex Diarist Reveals All (Well, Some)". The Washington Post. May 24, 2004. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- ^ Witt, April (August 15, 2004). "Blog Interrupted". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
- ^ "Pass notes". The Guardian. London. June 2, 2004. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
- ^ Cutler, Jessica (June 2, 2004). "Senator sacked me over tales of congress". The Guardian. London. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
- ^ "playboy.com / features / jessica cutler". Playboy. August 31, 2004. Archived from the original on September 3, 2004. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
- ^ "Washington sex blogger signs book deal". The Register.
- ^ "Jonathan Yardley, - Capitol Hill Siren's Tell-All Fiction". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 26, 2018.
- ^ "She's Come Undone". Archived from the original on October 23, 2005.
- ^ "Hill Aide Sues Over Sex Blog". The Smoking Gun. May 17, 2005. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- ^ McClurg, Andrew J. (August 14, 2005). "Online Lessons on Unprotected Sex". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- ^ "Steamy D.C. Sex Blog Scandal Heads to Court". NBC News. December 27, 2006. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Sex Blogger Files for Bankruptcy". Associated Press. June 1, 2007.
- ^ http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/district-of-columbia/dcdce/1:2005cv00970/114962/69/ STEINBUCH v. CUTLER – Document 69
- ^ Argetsinger, Amy; Roberts, Roxanne (July 10, 2006). "We Love You. Now Get Out of Here". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- ^ Argetsinger, Amy; Roberts, Roxanne (February 7, 2007). "Miss America, With Poise to Spare in Wonkland Central". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 28, 2007.
- ^ "Law.com".
- ^ Jessica Cutler a Mom!
External links
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