Beverly Hills Police Officer Marcelo Rodriguez filed a lawsuit September 13, 1999, in the Los Angeles Superior Court of California against Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, AKA George Michael. Officer
Rodriguez arrested Michael more than a a year ago for performing a lewd act in a public place, to which the defendant pleaded no contest in May 1998.

The officer is suing Michael for Slander Per Se for his continued remarks about being entrapped, which have been reported widely in the media and released in a new song and video entitled "Outside."
According to the suit, the song and video mock the officer and portray him as the one violating the law. The police officer is also suing Michaels for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress.

"Officer Rodriguez is an honest and conscientious police officer with an excellent nine year record that is now being tarnished by lies and rhetoric from a celebrity," said Richard F.G. Thomas, attorney for Rodriguez. "No person, let alone a police officer just doing his job,  should have to endure this barrage of lies, which impact his family life, career and reputation in the community.

"Perhaps Mr. Michael is embarrassed and humiliated over the arrest? But why lash out and cause another person pain and anguish? It would be far better if Mr. Michael showed remorse for his actions and did
something positive to benefit humanity, rather than making  accusations which only serve to harm someone else."

For more information, see the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit case BC216661 Marcelo Rodriguez vs. Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou.