Dakota Mortensen has launched a lawsuit against Hulu and the producers of “Mormon Wives”, alleging that staged scenes and selectively edited footage falsely portrayed him as an abusive and unfaithful ex-partner.
The case names Jeff Jenkins Productions and Ludwig Productions alongside Hulu. Mortensen is seeking unspecified damages of more than $300,000.
In court documents, Mortensen claims the programme’s storylines were built from staged events and footage that contradicted the portrayal was deliberately removed. He alleges this happened even after producers had been told by him and others that the claims made about him were untrue.
Mortensen says the programme depicted him as Taylor Frankie Paul’s abusive former partner, obsessed with her and unwilling to let her go. He also alleges viewers were led to believe that he retaliated against Paul by reporting her to child protective services and that he had been unfaithful.
He denies those allegations and says the portrayal was not simply the result of an unfavourable edit.
Mortensen further claims producers filmed Paul striking him with a pizza box, but that footage was left out. He also denies making a report to child protective services, despite an allegation that he had done so.
According to the lawsuit, the portrayal damaged Mortensen’s reputation and caused him to lose business opportunities. He also claims to have suffered emotional distress and humiliation.
Hulu has been approached for a response but has not commented.
