Bubba the Love Sponge Refusing to Testify in Hulk Hogan’s Lawsuit Against Gawker

– As previously reported, Hulk Hogan’s trial against Gawker is set to start this month. PWInsider has another update on the ongoing legal dispute over the leaking of clips from a sex tape with Hogan and Heather Clem. The trial is slated to start on March 7 in Tampa, Florida, and opening statements will be heard from both sides. According to the latest report, Todd “Bubba the Love Sponge” Clem is refusing to testify for the civil trial.

Clem’s attorney announced late on Friday (March 4) that Clem would be brought in to testify and would invoke the Fifth Amendment, which is the right to stay silent. The reasoning for Clem making this decision was not discussed. However, attorney for Gawker are suggesting that Clem might have perviously perjured himself in his depositions for the case.

Earlier in the week, evidence came out saying that Clem and Hogan had previously reached a settlement over the sex tape for $5,000. In addition, Clem is said to have agreed that he would assist Hogan in the legal fallout of the of the release of the tape clips. Gawker was reportedly planning on calling Clem to the stand to testify, and Hogan’s attorneys did not intend to use Clem as a witness.

The trial will consist of a jury of six people and three alternates for the $100 million lawsuit. The jury panel has six women and three men.