LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- So far, 11 people are part of the lawsuit against the author and the publisher of "Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen."
Olivia Carrico is one of five students who claim the book is negatively impacting both the University of Louisville’s reputation, and ultimately, their ability to get jobs after graduating.
But Sade Simril said she actually appears in the book. When she posed in a photo in the book, she said she thought it would be used in a calendar.
Simril is now one of six women who claim their reputations are damaged and are suing because of it.
"They never received any compensation for the calendar and they certainly never thought that this photograph would be used in this so-called scandal sex book on the U of L," said Attorney Nader Shunnarah.
Shunnarah said his clients never danced or had sex with U of L basketball recruits or players. In fact, he said they're not strippers at all -- despite the fact that some of their stage names were mentioned in the book.
Shunnarah said the women are seeking monetary damages and want the photo and book permanently removed from the market.
"They receive phone calls, text messages, messages on social media: 'Is this you? Are you in the book? Why did you engage in this activity?'" said Shunnarah. "There's accusations against them that affects their family. It affects their emotional status: depression, stress, anxiety."
But Katina Powell's attorney said the plaintiffs in the case are helping validate her story.
"There's no statement in the book that indicates that those women were involved in the activity described in the book. So what they have done is, they've identified themselves -- clearly defamed themselves," said attorney Larry Wilder.
Shunnarah said the lawsuit may later be separated into two suits because the students' claims are different in nature from the women who were actually named in the book.
But for now, they'll be keeping it as one.
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