HOUSTON, Nov. 8 The late Anna Nicole Smith's mother is suing a Houston television station and CBS Studios Inc. for libel after they aired a damaging interview with Smith.
Virgie Arthur is also suing her daughter's former companion, Howard K. Stern, for setting up the appearance on "Entertainment Tonight," the Houston Chronicle reported.
In the interview, Smith said Arthur did not protect her from physical and sexual abuse as a child.
The program, which is produced by CBS Studios, aired on NBC affiliate KPRC Channel 2 in Houston a week after Smith died.
Papers filed in court said Smith's on-air statements have jeopardized Arthur's chances of getting custody of and securing visitation rights for her granddaughter, Dannielynn.
Arthur also accuses Stern, KPRC and CBS of sullying her reputation as a "caring, honest and law-abiding retired peace officer."
KPRC attorneys said in court documents the station should not have been included in the case because it aired a satellite feed, but had no "involvement in the reporting, production or content of the program" and "had no knowledge of the alleged defamatory statements."
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