Shocking Courtroom Drama in LA: Ex-HFPA Member’s Bombshell Allegations Nearly Lead to Contempt

The drama surrounding the Golden Globes continues to unfold.

On a recent Tuesday morning, a dramatic turn of events occurred at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, leaving even a veteran judge bewildered.

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Ex-member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Husam “Sam” Asi, nearly faced arrest for contempt in an ongoing legal battle with his former associates at the Golden Globes.

However, Asi, defended by a public attorney, avoided this immediate threat by urging Judge Daniel Crowley to first address a new lawsuit. This separate legal action, initiated last month by other former HFPA members in federal court, targets the new owner of the Globes, Jay Penske, and Gregory Goeckner, ex-CEO of the Golden Globe Foundation. Asi argued that this lawsuit significantly weakens the HFPA’s defense against him.

A brief background: Asi has been embroiled in this lawsuit for four years, but his grievances with the HFPA date back even further. In March 2021, the Israeli-born Palestinian journalist openly accused the HFPA of racism, amidst broader criticism of the organization’s lack of diversity. Shortly thereafter, TheWrap reported allegations that he had sexually harassed three HFPA members.

Three months following the accusations, Asi filed a lawsuit against the HFPA, claiming he was retaliated against with allegations of sexual harassment and was derogatorily labeled a “terrorist” and an “angry Arab.” He also contended that the HFPA used these false accusations of sexual misconduct as a weapon against him for his outspoken criticism. Asi eventually had to pay the HFPA’s legal costs after several losses in court.

In subsequent years, Penske and Eldridge Industries CEO Todd Boehly acquired the Golden Globes, transforming it into a profit-making entity. The HFPA was disbanded, though some members transitioned to the new Globes 2.0.

“The HFPA has conceded everything I claimed,” Asi declared in court regarding the lawsuit against Penske. “Each filing they made [in my case], every response, was founded on lies.”

Goeckner had provided crucial testimony in the case of Asi v. HFPA. However, he recently fell out of favor with the organization. Just eight days after the federal lawsuit was filed by former HFPA members seeking control over the awards, the board of the Golden Globe Foundation dismissed Goeckner.

Asi elaborated extensively about Goeckner in court, concluding with, “This person is no longer with the HFPA… he’s been terminated from all his roles, and is now being sued by the HFPA itself.”

(During Tuesday’s hearing, Goeckner was observing via a video call, as was the new foundation president and interim CEO Raffi Boghosian, who is reported to have orchestrated a “coup” to oust Goeckner.)

“I’m not sure what to make of this,” admitted Judge Crowley, clearly perplexed.

Judge Crowley suggested one possible course of action: proceed to trial. Asi eagerly agreed, repeatedly saying, “Yes.”

This proposal was swiftly rejected by one of the many attorneys from Latham & Watkins representing the HFPA. “We prefer to seek summary judgment to avoid this spectacle,” the attorney stated.

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Asi countered: “They’ve been hanging this summary judgment over my head for three years without filing it. I wish they would, but they haven’t. Why not? You even suggested they dismiss the case. They won’t do it. Why? Because they know they can’t, and they’re hoping you will simply crush me.”

Judge Crowley did not make a decision regarding Asi’s alleged contempt for not paying the court-ordered seven-figure judgment against him and deferred further proceedings for another three months. The next session is set for November 18.

“The Sam Asi saga drags on, typifying the nearly farcical disarray of what was once just a questionable awards organization known for its lavish parties,” a source familiar with the situation commented. “Sam is a thorn in their side, and his case plunges us into a surreal realm of conflicting accusations and deceit.”

Stay tuned.