12/10/2009

in

TLC's attorneys presented their arguments in court today, although the defendant was missing.

Blakely Slater

Jon Gosselin was not in the courtroom on Thursday, but the show went on.  
  
Proceedings continued in the TLC vs. Gosselin case in which the network is suing the former reality TV star for contract violations.  
  
Paul Gaffney, an attorney for TLC, made the argument that many of Gosselin's actions brought a negative image to his company. He referenced the father's appearances at questionable events, such as pool parties in Vegas, and said it "made the show look bad," reports [Us magazine](http://www.usmagazine.com/stylebeauty/news/jon-g-embarass-20091012).  
  
Edward Sabin added to this argument that Gosselin's irresponsibility was detrimental to the kind of entertainment for which TLC is known.  
  
"Photos of Jon Gosselin with scores of bikini-clad women was inconsistent with our image brand of our show," Sabin said in court.  
  
Sabin also spoke about other frowned-upon activities that Gosselin engaged in, such as signing autographs outside his home, taking luxurious vacations, and considering participation in other shows.  
  
Ultimately, it was "a series of last straws" that prompted the decision to sue, according to Sabin, "Notably taking money from entertainment programs where folks sit around and gossip about celebrities lives."  
  
Gosselin is also counter-suing TLC. The father-of-eight claims that the network violated Pennsylvania's child labor laws by filming his children.