Oprah Winfrey Network sues a Florida man for impersonation

Los Angeles: The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) has filed a lawsuit against a Florida man called Justin Jackson for impersonation scheme. The lawsuit claimed that the man pretended to be Oprah Winfrey's nephew and even an OWN employee to get lavish prize and benefits, The Hollywood Reporter said.

The lawsuit claimed that by pretending to be an OWN employee, Jackson tried to get free items from Converse, Carter clothing, David Yurman, Pandora, Tacori and Tory Burch. He also allegedly asked for free concert tickets, gift certificates, hotel accommodations, jewelry and access to celebrities like Trey Songz. It's further explained that previously Jackson also pretended to be Winfrey's nephew to urge Extended Stay America Hotel to give him and his partner, Angel Agarrat, a job because Winfrey would like to visit them at the hotel in Miami.

An OWN spokesperson confirmed the lawsuit filing in a statement. "A lawsuit was filed today against Justin Jackson who has been falsely representing himself as an employee and associate of OWN, Oprah Winfrey Network, in an effort to mislead companies and individuals in order to obtain gifts, financial rewards and employment," so said the representative.

"Also named as a defendant is Angel Agarrat who the complaint alleges has assisted Jackson in some of these scams. We seek the court's help to put a stop to these fraudulent activities," the statement further explained. Other co-plaintiffs joining the lawsuit filed in Florida federal court were Reggie Love, a personal aide to President Barack Obama, and Scott Garner, OWN's Senior Vice President of Scheduling and Acquisitions.

In the complaint, Garner claimed that Jackson pretended to be him in 2013 to set up an appointment to meet a Coldwell Banker broker to look at properties in Florida.